Page 19 - RADC Bulletin 2019

clothes the joy it brought to the faces is something I will never forget! It was safe to say we got through plenty of tissues.
After a very quick shower and change we headed over to the high commissioner’s residence for an important announcement, one of the ladies on the team had been selected for promotion. To finish the day off we spent the evening at the Royal British Legion for an evening with veterans and
the wives of the first Fijian British soldiers working in Germany in the 70s and 80s. This was a good opportunity to reminisce with the veterans and ladies, and it also helped us to learn of the different charities in Fiji that we could offer support and give donations too.
Day 7 – Home of Hope
The following morning, we were up early
to collect more boxes, this time to give donations to Home of Hope, which was
a shelter for abused women established
by an American couple. It provides a safe haven for women and children. All the ladies were very grateful for the donations that we gave. After visiting the shelter, we headed off to the training grounds to play our first netball match of the tour. This match was
in memory of Annie, playing against some
of her old netball team and who were Fijian national players. It was a hard-fought game, unfortunately we lost, but it wasn’t about
the winning or losing. Everyone had a fantastic game, smiles and laughter all round reminding ourselves it’s the taking part that counts! Later that evening we returned to the high commissioner’s residence again for Christmas carols around the tree in aid of the children’s hospital in Suva. This seemed very odd for most of us singing Christmas carols in our summer dresses and sandals, there were no coats or scarves to be
seen! We took shoe boxes with Christmas
presents that had been hand made by the children at Haig School in Gutersloh so those children in the hospital had something to open on Christmas day. Some of the children were fortunate enough to join us for the evening, it was a lovely evening and a fantastic way to end the day.
Day 8 – St Christopher’s Orphanage and Netball match
Up bright and early it was time to collect some more boxes and head off to St Christopher’s orphanage, and, with plenty of tissue to hand, we received a lovely welcome from the children. What a performance they gave, their singing voices were beautiful. The home takes in both boys and girls but once the boys turn 12, they are moved on to other homes on the island. Due to the generous donations from Britannia lodge and from our fundraising we were able to donate FJ$2000 towards the building of a boy’s home on the grounds of St Christopher’s. This will stop the practice of moving the boys and give siblings and friends more time together.
After an emotional morning it was time to play our second match of the tour against the police training school band’s wives
and daughters. We received a wonderful welcome before heading down to the courts for what would prove to be the hardest fought game of the tour. The heat proved to be difficult for all but the Westphalen Warriors won 14-5, and the BFG Belles played against the daughters but unfortunately lost 25-7. Once the games were over we headed up
to the band room for presentations, where we donated the match balls and netball training kit to the ladies. A quick trip back to the hotel followed, allowing us all to freshen up before returning for the evening ceremony. The evening was an experience that none of us shall ever forget. We were
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