Recognising values and talents as i-Kiribati

The programme was to support local i-Kiribati women in addressing issues of the impact of family violence on themselves and their families. It also provided the women with a safe space to explore their own experiences purposefully focused on the important relationship between mothers and daughters.  

The mother/daughter relationship was at the forefront of the programme designed to help empower i-Kiribati mothers to confidently support their daughters’ futures towards loving, respectful and violent free relationships. A novel, gentle approach was taken to the sensitive subject. 

At a Mahu Vision Community Trust planning meeting, it was agreed that Kiribati women loved creating. With that in mind a six-part programme, based around the making of the Tibuta – the traditional crocheted blouse – important amongst the Kiribati people was put together and led by community elder and Pastoral Support worker Etitara Beia. 

Over the six weeks, the eight women involved each made a Tibuta to present to their daughters, and in one case, granddaughter, at the completion of the programme. 

While making the tops the women were also involved in a series of workshops, ranging from topics such as (1) knowing yourself, (2) understanding anger, (3) family relationships, (4) repeating the past in my current life, (5) the difference with thinking and feeling and cultural scripts. The final session (6) was dedicated to the Tibuta Gifting Ceremony and Dinner.  

A key feature of the programme and engaging the women with the family violence learning was delivering it in the Kiribati language. Language was critical in removing language barriers that may have been faced, and to that end Aronna Tawaia was selected to deliver the educational part of each workshop. 

Delivering the workshops in i-Kiribati was significant and led to the women participating more fully in the workshops, with greater confidence and understanding than may have been the case if the programme had been in English. 

This was highlighted at the end of the six weeks with various comments from the women involved, including. 

(Note: participants names have been excluded to protect privacy) 

“It’s very helpful, also it helps me to understand domestic violence, how to prevent it before it becomes a problem” 

“Understanding new knowledge to use to guide my family to have a peaceful family” 

It’s very important to me because I now understand how to support my children and my family” 

“It’s very helpful as I know and understand more about domestic violence and how to handle it within my family” 

They all agreed it was something they would happily recommend to family and friends. 

The programme had a far wider and positive impact beyond the group of women who attended.  

For the handing over of the Tibuta ceremony, the women invited other women beyond their daughters, with one woman even inviting her sons. This allowed the wider family to connect to the message and what the women had learned over the six weeks. 

The women continue to meet on a weekly basis to sew and to build on the connections made with each other. 

The Mahu Vision Community Trust  team were deeply moved and heartened by “the response, the joy and the celebration” reaching far beyond the programme key deliverables. 

Mahu Vision Community Team involved in the delivery of the programme:

• Rosanna Ball - Team Leader & Counsellor
• Etitara Beia: Senior Cultural Advisor & Pastoral Care
• Arney Bingham: Social Worker (Provisional Registration)
• Aronna Tawaia: Lead Facilitator & Cultural Advisor
• Moe Taboru: Youth & Whanau Support Worker

More about Manu Vision Community Trust

You may also be interested in: 

Fishing for Answers

Boutokaan te mweeraoi – A Conceptual Framework for enhancing I-Kiribati wellbeing

Maneaba Strategic Action Plan for Kiribati communities in New Zealand

Te Mauri – Otago Kiribati Young Peoples Project

Language – A Powerful Tool for Kiribati Families

Pasefika Proud Pathways for Change 2019-2023 - DOWNLOAD HERE   

Pacific families and communities are safe, resilient and enjoy wellbeing.  

Pasefika Proud Principles  

The following principles support and guide our work:  

Community-led – supporting communities to identify their own needs, and design and lead their own solutions. Community leadership happens at all levels – including in homes, churches and sport and cultural settings. Pasefika Proud taps into and nurtures those community leaders, influencers and role models who are able to inspire and support positive change.  

Strengths based – drawing on Pacific cultural values to strengthen communities, build resilience and keep Pacific peoples safe. Focusing on assets and dispelling the myth that family violence is part of our various Pacific cultures. This helps to open doors that would otherwise be closed to conversations about family violence.  

‘Ethnic-specific for Pacific’ – working intentionally in an ethnic-specific way to support the development of community-owned, culturally appropriate solutions. Experience and evidence to date suggest that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not as effective as one that derives from unique cultural frameworks and strengths.  

Diversity / Inclusion – recognising that Pacific peoples in New Zealand are incredibly diverse in terms of culture, ethnicity, migration experience, age, gender, location and many other factors. Acknowledging and understanding our diversity helps us to be more inclusive.  

Evidence based – building expertise and an evidence base on what supports positive change / transformation that prevents violence within Pacific families and communities.  

Education / Skills focused – supporting knowledge and skills acquisition that builds confidence and capability within Pacific families, communities and services.  

Sustainability – acknowledging the complexities and intergenerational impacts of family violence, and focusing on realistic solutions that help to embed and sustain social change at the community level.