Work Perspectives
Finally, I’ve got around to writing another blog post, having just finished my correspondence course subject on the “Theology of Mission” (quite appropriate given Samoa’s missionary history). In this instalment, I’ll be discussing my initial impressions of work...

1. My Role
The main reason why I’m in Samoa is to work as a Hydrology Engineer. Two years ago, the Samoan Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) established a Water Resources Division (WRD) to manage all of Samoa’s water resources. Their primary roles are to:
(1) monitor and assess the key surface and ground water sources;
(2) improve protected catchments and water quality through education and catchment management techniques; and
(3) formulate and enforce water-related policy and legislation.
I’ve been drafted in mainly to help with role (1), but also to build up the Division in general. It’s a pretty good deal for them: they get me for free, and can do with me what they like… within reason. In reality, I’m already working harder than most of the staff would feel comfortable with, and this is the most chilled-out I’ve been since I graduated. Keep in mind that this is a Government department in a Pacific Island – I never anticipated a particularly stressed out work environment!

2. Impressions
Having said that, compared to many other workplaces in Samoa, they’re a pretty keen and positive group. I’ve joined the team at a time when their day-to-day roles are now quite well defined, but there is still a lot of scope to try new things and develop in different directions. Any bad habits haven’t yet been deeply ingrained and they expect that I will be providing additional guidance and training.

Yet I am not the only one involved in this process. They seem to have a massive number of outside consultants involved in short-term activities. For half of my first two months, we were accompanied by international experts who provided specialised training. While this short-term training is usually very good, there may not be enough attention given to putting it into practice, meaning that much of the benefit is lost.

One of my most important roles is to ensure that the training isn’t wasted, and that any recommendations are implemented before the next “mission”. I’m also making sure that their flow and rainfall measurements are accurate, stored properly and backed up, which has been a problem in the past. I recently completed the first draft of a Data Management Manual, which details the processes that should be followed to ensure data integrity. It’s such a fundamental task, because everything else in the WRD depends on it.


3. Lightbulb Moment
Last week, I was involved in a “lightbulb moment”. A colleague was trying to understand groundwater and had only become more confused after speaking to the hydro-geology specialist from Holland. She had also just spoken to a Samoan expert and was really enthusiastic after learning from his experience, but still a little uncertain. When she spoke to me about how she understood a borehole to work, it became clear that she thought that Samoa was literally a floating island. I explained that we were standing on soil and rock, and that water was only found in the gaps between the particles. Suddenly the penny dropped and all this background learning became clear. It was really satisfying to be part of an epiphany moment like that. Hopefully there'll be more of those moments to come...

First weeks...

After a flight cancellation and a 3 hour delay, the twelve of us AYADs arrived at Apia Airport in Samoa… a sleep-deprived day and half late.

Orientation
We were soon whisked off to a town centre hotel and then out to the tropical paradise of Lalomanu; supposedly one of the best ways to be eased into the Samoan way-of-life. Lalomanu is a popular beachside retreat boasting pristine white beaches, overhanging palm trees, some of the best snorkelling on the island and traditional Samoan fales (huts with no walls) lining the shore. If you’re imagining Pacific Island tourist brochures right now, you’re on the right track.

We met some of the AYADs from the previous intake between snorkeling, throwing balls and frisbees, eating food, playing beach cricket, chilling out and chatting. We were treated to some energetic Samoan dancing on the Saturday evening. I could hardly believe how they managed to keep such natural smiles on their faces while exerting so much energy. I couldn’t help but smile myself. ;)

Week One: House + Easter
Unlike the Samoan dancers, our first week was very chilled out, but this is Fa’a Samoa – the Samoan way. The greatest achievement is that I’ve found a place to stay… It’s a two storey, wood-paneled house on the main road to the east of Apia, opposite a sports complex and only 25 minutes walk to the town centre. I’m sharing with two ladies and another guy, all Australian volunteers. They’re great fun to live with and they love to cook! Since Samoa is warm and humid, the house has open slatted windows on all sides, covered with the all-important fly screens. It’s great for encouraging the cool breeze, but terrible for sound-proofing. The backyard is shared with two other households (Samoan properties don’t have many fences, though the Australian High Commission is a notable exception!), and we are treated to the at-times comedic antics of a host of farmyard animals. This is great fun during the day, especially when the dogs start chasing the pigs around the house. At nightfall though, the ‘zombie dog’ packs take over (bring a rock if walking at night!). By 5:00am, it’s the roosters that decide to announce themselves. Fortunately the subwoofer-enhanced buses don’t start until 6:00am, though some of the utes are just as loud. Let’s just say that it’s tough to get an uninterrupted night’s sleep.

The first week climaxed at Easter, which is a pretty big deal in Samoa. I attended Apia Protestant Church; the closest English-speaking Protestant Church to my house. On Good Friday morning, I read all the gospel accounts of Jesus’ final days, and was struck by the blatant injustice of his trial before the Jewish leaders. I walked into church and heard beautiful Samoan voices singing of Jesus’ greatness in the song “Above All”: the contrast was particularly impacting. Since attending this church over the last few weeks, I have regularly been inspired by their music and drama, as well as the fire-in-the-belly preaching of the minister.

Week Two: Language Classes
Our second week was defined by language classes. The highlight was attending a traditional kava ceremony at the National University of Samoa, where honoured guests (in this case, from Otago University) were welcomed with words of great Samoan oratory. One of our language teachers was the leading speaker, and she relayed to us palagis (foreigners) how she, with good humour, had to silence the responding speaker due to a technicality in her Samoan chiefly status. I’m learning that hierarchy is a visible and important part of the Samoan social structure.

To summarise other notable tidbits of my experience so far, us volunteers have learnt how to prepare coconut cream, to cook fresh seafood in an umu (slow-cooking underground oven) and to slide down waterfalls on our hands and feet. To burn off the excess of sugary, fatty foods, I’ve been either running, paddling, playing touch or ultimate frisbee every day other than Sundays, which is a day for church and Sa (prayerful rest).

Week Three: Work
I’ve just finished my first week at work at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). In my next blogpost, I’ll reflect with more detail on this… suffice to say, my skills will be well suited to this role.


First Impressions
Defining first impressions of Samoa? Family, church, rugby, smiles, party buses, coconuts, ‘zombie dogs’, palm trees, pigs, roosters, heavy rain, voluminous clouds, rainforest, steep mountains, crowded ute trays, iafataga (skirt)-wearing bicycle-riding police, “It’s too late to apologise”, afternoon naps, super warm seawater, thongs, right-hand drive debate, sun, taxis, singing, Vailima (locally-brewed) beer, foreign aid, malo (hi)!

Great Expectations for Samoa

In less than 30 hours I will begin 12 months as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD) in Apia, the capital of Samoa. On Friday, March 14, I'll be flying out to work as a hydrology engineer in the Water Resources division of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Meteorology.

To begin the Samoan version of my blog/journal, I though it'd be best to start with some expectations for the coming year. Then, when I finish my final post, I'll compare these expectations with what actually eventuated 12 months down the track.

So... will it be an extended summer holiday in a Pacific Island paradise or a hellish ride of misplaced hopes and derailed plans??

Hopefully neither. I wouldn't be satisfied with either a self-indulgent life of luxury or a mistake-ridden car crash in slow motion. My expectations for life in Samoa are...

1. Personal challenge. Having being forced to be a decision-maker while adapting to life in Scotland in recent years, I imagine that Fa'a Samoa ("the Samoan way") will have its own set of unique personal challenges. The things I'm most likely to find difficult are:

(i) the slower pace of life;

(ii) cultural Christianity (especially any unrepentant hypocrisy);

(iii) the humidity;

(iv) learning the language;

(v) balancing work, study, relationships (in Samoa & overseas), church, sport and relaxation.

2. Work goals. To be honest, I have very modest expectations about what can be achieved in 12 months. I imagine this to be the best I could hope for:

(i) improved coverage of flow gauges in rivers near major towns/villages;

(ii) slightly better trained young employees in yield assessment and water resource monitoring;

(iii) improved staff capacity, in quality and/or quantity;

(iv) greater protection of water catchment areas through public awareness.

3. Relationships

I have increasingly realised the importance of a strong network of relationships, and this will be particularly evident in Samoa. I hope to:

(i) develop the respect and trust of locals in all the social circles within which I am engaged;

(ii) minimise the cultural barriers to communication while being strong in my own identity;

(iii) prioritise key friendships in Samoa, without neglecting important relationships overseas.

4. Spiritual. Faith in God is on the agenda in Samoa, and I hope my own journey will be challenged and strengthened by being immersed in this culture. Specifically:

(i) compare what is being spoken and practised by Samoan Christians to my own expectations/ traditions and enable that to transform my expression of faith;

(ii) understand God's heart in the Samoan context and speaking out boldly but gently;

(iii) be engaged in positive social action, especially within the activity of the churches.

Since 2001, I have been hoping to work in a developing world context. This Samoan experience will have a large bearing on whether to continue on this trajectory. Hopefully there will be growing clarity on whether this is a path best suited to my skills, desires and priorities. Through the process of journalling, these factors may very well be revealed...