By Kathy Erwin – SY Sea Bella

Saying Thank-you

Last December in French Polynesia, a few cruiser friends and I thought of a special way to give back to the towns local children at Christmastime.

Joanne Pilkington on SV Fundango and Emma Aingé on SV Margot and I on SV Sea Bella were anchored in Taiohae Bay in Nuku Hiva, Marquesas. I counted 150 sailboats all anchored in the bay, most were staying for the month to see the Festival Dance and Drumming Traditions of Matavaa. Since we were all “guests of their bay”, I thought it would be a caring idea to “give back”, especially since the locals had graciously hosted us all and included us in their events of the festival.

This festival is not a tourism event, but a cultural history expression for all Marquesans.

We went to the local Tourism office and inquired about the local elementary schools. We shared our idea of bringing each child of the town a wrapped treat, goodie, or cookie. The office ladies immediately showed gratitude and a sense of appreciation. However, we needed to cut through the red tape and logistics, with one school being Catholic. With perseverance and organization the plans began working out well. Once we were approved, we made plans to go to two elementary schools.

A few days beforehand, the three of us organizers zipped around the bay all day asking local cruisers to participate in this “giving back”. Most of them loved the idea and wanted to join us and wanted to go to town to hand out treats. So, the date was set for the last day of school before holiday break. We gathered at the dingy dock, discussed some logistics (in French and English) and went walking into the town with goodie bags in tote. This was a fun activity for us and an important little treat for the town.

All 40 of us cruisers hand delivered treats to 320 youngsters, their teachers, food service helpers, principals, the mayor and even a few parents.

The children were so surprised. They hadn’t seen so many Caucasian faces ever, probably. The treats were a hit. Our photo and story was even posted in the local news.

It feels good to give back!

For more photos and a video visit our blog.

Enabling local families to enjoy their bay in a new way

A month later, a few cruisers and my husband Scott and I (living on SV Sea Bella) helped purchase some paddle boards for a group of small children and adults in a very small bay in Nuka Hiva, Marquesas.

Why here might you ask?

This Bay (Ho’oumi) welcomed and embraced our local cruising group of 10 boats for months over this past storm season. We cruisers had cleaned up their beach after a storm brought hundreds of coconuts and debris down from the valley and ruined their beach and children’s playground.

The locals said “no one had ever done anything like that for them before”. There was an incredible bond!

The local Marquesans have very little (other than fruit and smiles). The children and families really loved borrowing our paddle boards.

The cruisers shared nightly bonfires and drumming sessions together.

So, our friends Jeff and Michelle Fetkenhour on SV Infinite Grace had a great idea to buy 5 paddle boards and help the community maintain and store them. This was a chance to help out.

Jeff Fetkenhour is organising this fundraiser after paddling ashore every day to watch the local children play along the water’s edge.

“One day we asked if they would like to try the paddle board. They were eager and excited. With big smiles, they paddled for many hours that first day. They would take turns to share the paddle; exploring the inner bay. They were careful, considerate, and brave. Each day that we returned to the beach, more children wanted to try. Parents enjoyed paddling as well. We had enabled families a new access to the water, to explore their bay, to laugh and play, to share amongst themselves, and to build their self-confidence. From this enthusiasm and joy was born the desire to provide this access permanently – long after we would sail away.”

To find out more and support this effort go to the fundraising page.

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About the Author:

After 11 years of dreaming and then planning, US sailors Kathy and Scott Erwin started their cruise into retirement in August 2021 when they left their home base in California and headed for the warmer waters of Mexico. After a year in French Polynesia they are heading westward across the Pacific and planning a circumnavigation.

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Other Reports from Kathy and Scott:

• You Know you are a Cruiser when….
• Portrait of a Cruiser – Scott and Kathy Erwin
• SY Sea Bella – 6 months cruising the Tuamotus

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.

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