Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
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Besambay- 84 People Responded Present |
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*Besambay- 84 People Responded Present We Held A Meeting With The People Of Besambay On The 5th of May, 2014 On The Theme: "The Importance Of Water And The Sea".  Photo of Gregg and Aina speaking to the people of Besambay Although we were tired and a little disoriented after having a an hour and a half pirogue trip, 3 hours of intense sun waiting for people to get back from their fishing activity and getting to know we are not going to have the president and the vice of the village committee in the meeting, we kept our focus and put on a brilliant performance. The soft caresses of the air and light heartedness of the people of Besambay gave me and the other speakers a great force to explain well the importance of water and the sea to them in the meeting we had with them on the 5th of May 2014. . "Whether for food, tourism, or livelihood, considering the ocean's health seems to be deep-rooted" Navi revealed to the people. "84 people were present at the meeting" said Navi in our aftermath meeting debrief. Despite having left their very precious activities, their faces were glittering with heavy smiles as we presented one by one our little talks on the environment. Tourism, water health, Coral reefs, over fishing, was the central themes at the exchange with the local people. The people, women children and men kindly left what they were doing which could be capital to them come and listen to us say something that was going to touch them directly. "Mahay" and "soa" (to mean: good we've understood) is the response we received from the villagers thrilled by our presentation to. A big "MAHAY" was given to us when we ended the presentation to signify we have understood them. "If you use anchors, indiscriminate fishing nets, canes to whip the reefs and let tourists touch the coral polyps when they arrive, it is dangerous for their health and for the activity" Gregg Smith advised the people. At our arrival we saw a group of women cleaning the beach, something I have not observed in Beheloke. One of the villagers explained to me that this activity began 1 year ago and the groups of women do this voluntarily. Imagination pushed Marlies and I wondering into the little forest where we met a Tortoise family of three in a 5 minutes' walk from the desalinization plant. It was very interesting to discover them and to see how beautiful they were. Although small in size they demonstrated absolute strength and aggressiveness in their attempt to elope from Danger when we wanted to take pictures of them. I was amazed to discover how great their family life could look like.  Beautiful Tortoise Family. Photo by Marlies Volkaert and Israel Bionyi The massive fish drying stool about 3-4 meters long made out of wood is one great attraction at the Besambay dugout canoe stop. We were told sharks are sometimes brought are dried there and I could see some shark bones lying by the side at the dust bin. "I dry very big sharks here" Dona the major "Panaokinaga" (Fish collector) commented. Our night at the beach near the sea was a wonderful unforgettable moment we still want to revisit in our lives. The villagers welcome and the peace we could feel gave us an "at home" feeling. The songs on the pirogue and jokes we cracked made our mission a perfect adventure. I would like to return to Besambay even after this Programme. By Israel Bionyi, WWF Volunteer in Beheloke. |
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3 Comments
Women cleaning the beach is an inspiring case that your efforts are recognized & praised.
The pic of turtle family is amazing.
Well reported & Well done!
Posted 27-05-2014 18:48
thanks for sharing this cuz water is very essential
Posted 26-05-2014 19:01
Great work done! I also want to give you a big MAHAY :D
Let's make people aware on the marine ecosystem and keep the lovely tortoise family.
Posted 26-05-2014 16:39