Fiji by S. W. Carr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1907

Fiji

By S. W. Carr

BURESALA.—The illustrations on page 6 show our school buildings, past and present. When we first came to Buresala, the old building, though only eighteen feet long by twelve feet wide, was used both as a teacher’s house and as a schoolroom, the smaller building on the right being used as a kitchen. Later, after the erection of a European house for the teacher, these were both used for school purposes.

Our new school building was erected this year, and was dedicated at the first meeting of the recent Fiji council. As will be seen, it is built Tongan fashion—with rounded ends and reed walls; this not only insures plenty of light, but is neat as well. The rafters were cut out of the trunk of the cocoanut tree, and were shipped one hundred and sixty miles in the mission boat.

The skilled work on this building was done by Joni Sisi (Seesee), a Tongan carpenter of Lau, Fiji, with the help of Pauliasi Bunoa and Latu, the latter being also a Tongan. All the students helped nobly on this building, which is forty feet long by twenty-one feet wide. Situated on a high ridge between the European houses and the students’ village, it can be seen from all parts of the farm, and also from passing boats and steamers, and is so built that it can easily be extended.

Its furniture consists of a raised platform at one end, a pulpit, a blackboard, table, and two maps; native mats spread upon dried fern providing the seating accommodation.

In this building, plain and unpretentious, we trust that many will learn the simple truths of the third angel’s message, and with God-given power carry them to the people of these and other islands. S. W. Carr.