I’ve been living in Sili for about three weeks now. Moving to a new village has had its ups and downs. Although I miss my family in Lotofaga, I also love my family here in Sili. I live with my host mom, Malae (a teacher at the primary school), host dad Fiu (head teacher at a school in a neighboring village) and Seti (13-year-old host sister). We are the first family as you enter Sili, so the house is very quiet and peaceful. I’ve been spending time getting to know my new family, drinking a lot of coco Samoa*, and watching the New Zealand news (we get TV in Sili! Only the one channel, but still).

(My Samoan faleo'o. I haven't moved in yet, still needs some work.)

My primary project (I have a primary project! Hooray!) is working at the school. I’ve arrived at an awkward time (I came around exam time and now we’re on holiday), but eventually I’ll be helping teach English and computers (the school has two), acting as librarian and maybe having social studies lessons, too.

(The school has two computers and one monitor.)

In Samoan, Sili means “best.” And Sili definitely has some awesome things going for it. Firstly, Sili has banned the exchange of tinned fish at Samoan fa’alavelave. Sounds weird, but this is actually pretty great – and somehow both progressive and true to Samoan tradition at the same time. In Sili, people are only allowed to exchange what they have for fa’alavelave (usually pigs and cows).

Sili is also the only certified organic village in Samoa. There are other organic growers, but the whole village of Sili is certified organic which is pretty sweet. I’d like to convince people to start selling their cocoa beans for export (think of it: Fair Trade Certified Organic Cocoa Beans from the Heart of Polynesia – who wouldn’t want in on that?).