Mauri O 19/07/2010
 
To all members of the Te Nati ni Kiribati, Mauri O.
I just want to say how proud and tokabeti I am to be part of this wonderful and successful newly formed Kiribati group. You have managed to put a brilliant show and fantastic Kiribati Independence Celebration to be proud of within a very short time. Our Kiribati MPs - Alex Teabo from Butaritari and Willie Tokataake from Abemama and his wife Ann, were very proud to see the result of your  hard work and were honoured to stand with you under the Kiribati flag to celebrate the 31st Kiribati Independence.
All those who came were very impressed by the dancers and how "beautiful and accomplished they are" as Vernon Scarborough the last British Hight Commissioner for Kiribati put it. The Chesham Sea Cadet Commander and his wife were so impressed that they have put Te Nati ni Kiribati on their website! One of the Commonwealth reps was also impressed by the dancers and that they wanted their children to learn to dance. (So Moyra and Kabure you may have to make room for two more dancers!) The Mayor of Chesham, before leaving commented on "a wonderful true Pacific Island exprience" and thanked Te Nati ni Kiribati for choosing Chesham for their venue.

The three MPs kindly donated gifts to the the group which were grateully accepted: Alex donated ten lavalavas, Willie and Ann donated ten men's blue shirts with Kiribati flag on and Jacob and wife Lavinia donated ten tibuta. I met up with them at their hotel before they left and offered our token of appreciation for them to take home. Te karabwarabwa nakoia are MPs aika a karineaki iroura.

Everyone put their hearts in to this and the result and the atmosphere that weekend was just wonderful and certainly to be proud of. Our thanks to our Chairperson Moyra Orme and our MC Ivor Blake for making sure the programme went smoothly but above all relaxing and enjoyable. We also extend our gratitude to the two hard working chefs Tom who did the delicsious cake amongst other dishes and Jay who created the most tasty fish and pork dishes that I have ever tasted, Teuea and Brucetta who generously provided the pig, Martin, Mary, Christine and Josh for those scruptious scones and pineapple upside down cakes. They went quickly with a cup of tea. Tabera and Sam you surprised us and did us proud with our tee shirt completed with Te Nati ni Kiribati logo on it all done in one week! Well it was a real icing on the cakes and scones!
 
Our huge 'thank you' to you all, young and old for all you did to make sure that the first Kiribati Independence Celebration held by Te Nati ni Kiribati went fantasticly well and throughly enjoyed by all who attended. Taua teimi anne.

For your diaries:
 The 28th July 2010, an invitation to take part in a  charity event in Buckinghamshire more details from Agnes
The 31st July 2010, and Invitation to a private party in the Commonwealth details from Brucetta.
 
Three other possible invitations later in the year but no details yet. Will confirm them asap.
 
August 2011, an invitation to represent Kiribati in a Pacific Island Festival in Hawaii!! Details to be confirmed once I have them.
 
Once again, Kam bati n rabwa and are i eta ngkami.
 
 
Agnes Henson - Derby
 
PR & Marketing.
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Celebrations began on the ninth of July this year. It was fantastic seeing faces old and new.

Friday: Everyone arrives gradually; to a warm and friendly welcome. Food was certainly not scarce this year, and I myself, am still recovering from a severe case of over-indulgence! The feast began as soon as the first family arrived. The London crowd arrived by Billericay mini-bus and started the festivities with a bang...swiftly followed by some hard-core dance practicing! Everyone else arrived shortly after and bagged a sleeping space, never have I seen so many air beds.

Saturday: Saturday was strictly business time. The early bird caught the worm at 5:30am and it was at this time that the kitchen was in full operation. Doughnuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner this year among many other things. For a lot of Independence amateurs this weekend, this was the first time trying these dinky delights. They went down well, obviously. For this I'd like to thank Maritino for his baking expertise.

Sunday: The big day. Needless to say nerves were on a tightrope this year with arrivals of ministers and members of parliament from Kiribati itself. Tensions were relieved when they finally arrived and integrated without a trace into the group dynamic, stories were shared and side-splitting laughter, as well as the odd drink or two. Finally everyone went home after some rigorous cleaning. As we all went our separate ways we had nothing to talk about except how much of a great time we had all had.

It was particularly special to me this year seeing some old friends I had not seen in years, there was also an amazing feeling of closeness between us and some new members who fit in and feel well at home. So with ten minutes left of Independence Day (GMT time!) I'd like to send my love and thanks everyone who came. This 31st Independence was AWESOME!



Tiabo everybody!

Liz
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