Pacific Providers

Fourteen women from Fiji have spent the harvest season gathering crops in the Gisbome district. Their various harvesting jobs have been co-ordinated for them by Mr Robbie Cooper and these have included tomato picking and kumara gathering. The ladies have been staying in private homes while working in Gisborne and have been given much hospitality. They are also very good singers and have been visiting various churches for Sunday services where they have sung for the congregations. Most of the women come from Lomary, Serua, 45 miles from Suva, while the others actually come from Suva. Those who come from Lomary have already pledged $100 each of their earnings towards the provision of a junior high school for their town. The school will cater for Forms I to IV.

Pictured outside the Mangapapa Union Parish Church the ladies are, from left, Rosa Tabaiwalu, Jane Johns, Paulina Muni-voco, Kelera Vua, Akata Matanisigia, Maria Ganita, Maria Rokovana, Teresia Tekivakatini, Susana Waqanidrola (from Lomary), and Tarau Lutumailagi, Salote Rokotina, Frances Loloma, Tokasi Soli and Vasiti Marawa Delai (from Suva).

Typical of the work they did was the picking of kumaras on Mr Roger Jones' property at Waihirere.

During their stay the Fijian ladies were also guests at a hangi hosted in their honour by the Pickering Street Free Kindergarten. A very enjoyable time was had by everyone.