Na Sisi Ni Qele - Landslide

'Na Sisi Ni Qele - Landslide' is a Fiji Children's book written entirely in Fijian for children aged 6 to 8 years old. Written by Mrs. Vika Nasome, from RFTA - Retired Fijian Teachers Association, with illustrations by Anare Somumu. It has 21 pages.

This book was written by Fijian teachers for teachers or parents - its intended use is in a classroom setting which is why it is A3 size with large font and bright illustrations. It can be placed on an easel in the front of the classroom and read to children who can view easily. It can also be enjoyed at home or anywhere outside of the classroom where children would want to read or hear Fijian stories.

Na Sisi Ni Qele Book Description

After continuous rain for almost 2 months, a landslide occurs beside the Dilkusha Girls School near Nausori. The main road is blocked because of the landslide. Sushil raises the alarm, rings the bell, and the Matron directs all students to go into a classroom. The Head Teacher addresses the students to stay put and asks what causes landslides.

Temalesi says that it is caused by cutting down trees that grow on slopes. Also the removal of soil in the widening of main roads. Temalesi adds that when trees are uprooted for the construction of roads, nothing holds the soil together as before.

The Head Teacher, in support of Temalesi and Torika, stresses the importance of taking good care of our resources, e.g. our land. The trees should not be cut down indiscriminately. Our advancement and economic development are good. But we need to be careful that development activities do not undermine the sustainability of our resources.

By then the officials from the National Disaster Management Unit arrive. Specific places which are deemed unsafe to visit are clearly marked out.

At the end of the school day, the students, with the guidance of the teachers, are shown the way towards the Nausori bridge and another group is herded towards the Princes road side. At the main road, police road patrols help in the safe crossing of the road by students and they ensure that students board their correct bus.

Everything goes off smoothly without mishap through the prompt arrival of the Police and the officials from the National Disaster Management Unit. The story highlights current environmental issues and the cost of development on our surroundings.

IIS, RFTA & FTA - 10 books in the series

This series of 10 books has been put together by the Institute of Indigenous Studies (IIS) Fiji Ltd, which, in the main, is made up of RFTA (retired Fijian Teachers Association- teachers who have retired from teaching). RFTA is a Branch of Fijian Teachers Association, FTA.

All IIS books in this series

• Na Keda Vuata - Our Fruits
• Na Loga Ni Voivoi Nei Bubu Salote - The Pandanus Plantation of Grandmother Salote
• Na Qoli Vonu - Catching Turtles
• Jone Na Dautataro - Jone The Kind Considerate Boy
• O Mosese Kei Viliame - Mosese & Viliame
• Na Siganisucu Nei Marica - Marica’s Birthday
• O Iratou Na Veitavaleni - The Three Cousins
• O Tomu Kei Popi - Tom & Poppy
• Na Volivolitaki Ena Makete - Selling at the Market
• Na Sisi Ni Qele - Landslide

 

English notes that explain the illustrations and Fijian text

Page No.	Fijian Book 'Na Sisi Ni Qele - Landslide' - Illustration Notes in English
Page 5:	Continuous rain fell in the Central Division in March and April of 2019. On the Davuilevu side of the Nausori bridge is the beginning of the Princes Road. This is also the location of the Dilkusha Girls School.
Page 7:	On Wednesday, 20th Sushil is running with fear in her eyes. Sushil: “Matron, Madam, there has been a landslide...!!” Matron: “Sushil.! Hurry! Ring the bell! Call all the children. Where is the location of the landslide?”
Page 9:	Sushil continuously rings the bell and announces the occurrence of a landslide. Pupils run towards Sushil. Sushil: “Madam, the main road is blocked. Soil has slid down the slopes.” Matron: Thank you Sushil. Hurry up the children. Please all go to that classroom. Teachers are also there to assist in the movement of the pupils.
Page 11:	The pupils are all seated, with the teachers behind them. The Head Teacher addresses the assembly thus: Head Teacher: “Listen carefully. No one is allowed to go down to the main road. We will all stay here till another announcement is made, is that clear.?” Pupils: “Yes Madam.”
Page 13:	The landslide has pushed a couple’s car off the road. Luckily the car has not ended up in the river. Because of the landslide, traffic is held up on both sides of the road.
Page 15:	Head Teacher: “What causes landslides?” Temalesi: “the cutting down of tress that grow on slopes. And the removal of soil in the widening of the main roads.” Head Teacher: “correct Torika what do you think?”
Page 16:	Torika: “when trees are uprooted for the construction of roads, nothing holds the soil together.” Head Teacher: “we need to protect the soil. Trees should not be cut down indiscriminately.”
Page 17:	Head Teacher: “O.K. Pupils can now proceed to your classrooms.” Pupils: “yes, madam.” Head Teacher: “teachers, take care of the pupils.” Matron: “the officials from the National Disaster Management Unit have arrived.”
Page 19:	Places unsafe to visit are clearly marked out. Pupils with their teachers, proceed to their classrooms.
Page 21:	At the end of the day, pupils, with their teachers, go down in a queue to the main road. Police are there to help pupils cross the road, or board the bus. Also there to help are officials from the National Disaster Management Unit.

 

 

Fiji Author - Mrs. Vika Nasome

From Nabukadra, a village in the province of Ra. Attended Lelean Memorial School and obtained Diploma in Education (Arts) from University of the South Pacific in 1973. Attained Diploma in Librarianship in 1992. Taught in Ballantine Memorial School and Cathedral Secondary School. Taught English and Fijian for 25 years of her teaching career. She took up some work in book translation and story writing for school during her retirement.