Filipinos in Tuvalu

@By Dr. Denniszon "Dennis" Mendoza, MD

Consisting of 9 atoll reefs is a country in the south pacific named TUVALU, it is considered as one of the smallest country with a population of only less than 11,000. You would never imagine that even in this small country you can still find Filipinos. From the health sector, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology, their roles are indispensable.

Livestock Production boost in the region

@By Ernesto "Ka Ernie" Cusilit

International Research and Extension Training of Agriculture in the Pacific (IRETA) focus on livestock production through study tour of pig farmers, annually to the different piggery projects in the region. It has proven that livestock contributed significantly to food security and income generation to stakeholders. Study tour is really an educational event where pig farmers observe, learn, experience and apply the ideas on how pigs are raised either on backyard and commercial system. In this manner, farmers will create their own knowledge on how to improve and sustained the development of the swine industry in their own country. Food on Agricultural Organization of the United Nation (FAO) also recruiting experts and technicians with different specialization in the field of agriculture from develop countries to help boost in developing agriculture in the pacific regions.

Timely, the establishment of Regional Program for Food security (RPFS) piggery at Vaitupu will eventually or perhaps help the pig farmers in Tuvalu to gain ideas and learn new technologies on pig husbandry. Farmers are welcome to visit and access on the services by the project, to enable him achieve his goals of productivity and profitability from production line to marketing.

Christmas in a far away TUVALU

@By Allan P. Loristo

Tuvalu is a former British colony and it is formerly called the Ellice Islands . It was composed of nine atolls and Funafuti (also called “abundance of banana”) is their capital, wherein the seat of government is here in the island.

I came here dated July 11, 2004 for employment at the Nukuvalu Computer Center as IT Specialist. My first impression to this place is very remote and their lives are so simple, but honestly, the Tuvaluan people are hospitable and friendly even you are new here.

You don’t believe that this is my third consecutive years spending Christmas here in Tuvalu? It was sad because I was away from my family. By means of internet access and chatting, I can e-mail and chat my family back home. The Tuvaluan also celebrates Christmas in a different and a simple way, but not as luxurious as the other country does. They celebrate the occasion at the Mañapa (Community Hall). They shared foods, drinks and other stuff.

Speaking of Christmas, we celebrate this event because of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem . The spirit of Christmas is in our hearts, not in our pockets or luxurious things. Have a merry Christmas and Prosperous New year to all! Tofa.       

Health issues of studying online

@By Allan P. Loristo  

Won't studying at a computer be bad for my health?

Studying at a computer can affect your body. In particular, it is known working at a computer display has the following health risks:

    Eye strain: working at a screen causes you to stare more intently at a

    small area than you would under other circumstances.

    Upper limb disorders: These are sometimes referred to as 

    repetitive strain injury or RSI.

    Headaches: Some people report headaches after working at a screen

    for a long period.

The suggested tips to alleviate most of these problems are the following:

    1. Take frequent breaks.

    2. Get your position comfortable, e.g. give yourself sufficient legroom.

    3. Make sure your chair and desk are the right height - your lower arms

       should be roughly horizontal and your feet flat on the floor.

    4. Make your working environment comfortable, e.g. arrange your

    monitor to avoid bright reflections on the screen.

    5. Use the mouse correctly - keep the mouse within easy reach, do

    not grip it to tightly, and rest your fingers lightly on the buttons. 

    6. Adjust your screen brightness and contrast to suit you and the 

    lightning conditions.       

Traditional Bone setting discouraged

Fong/Oballo Monday - 19/02/07

People with bone fractures in Tuvalu are urged to seek medical help before turning traditional bone setters.

In Tuvalu, whenever people fracture or sprain their limbs they first of all seek the help of traditional bone setters, and then later to medical doctors when they do not get relief.

Silafaga Lalua (Tuvaluan Journalist - Tuvalu Media Corporation) talked to the doctors and files this report.

Surgeon within Princess Margaret Hospital Dr. Innocencio Oballo explained to Tuvalu news that in most cases when they finally come to the hospital, a lot of damage had been done and it is really hard to reposition their limbs.

He said that doctors have had years of training and education in the field of scientific management of diseases including bone fractures.

Doctors request the public and kindhearted traditional bones setters to seek medical assistance first to avoid unnecessary damages and complications to seemingly simple problems.

A traditional bone setter on the capital Elina Temaolo responded that she helped people with not only bone fractures but other illnesses as well for over 40 years.

She explained that she never turns away patients who need her help but does send them to the hospital for x-rays, when she has worked on their fractures.

The many years of experience give her the confidence that her traditional healing knowledge will make her patients well again.

She also recognizes that both traditional and medical doctors err in some areas therefore she recommends both to work together because they do need other to efficiently carry out their common purpose of helping sick people.

Regarding traditional healers who may doubt their capability to heal the patients, Temaolo stated that it is better to hand the patients over to the hospital before them.

Ends.