• Fishing 6th Apr 2011

  I’m a regular visitor and fan of the inspiring blog Hearblack that documents the life of Nathan and Katie through their stunning photography. A recent post that really caught my attention was the SIFE project in the Tuvalu islands in the Pacific Ocean.

  

  Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is an international non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education mobilizing university students to make a real difference in communities.

  Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world and the people are dealing with many economic problems due to the size of the country, the rising sea level and emigration. SIFE Tuvalu Project works with schools and government, offering entrepreneurship workshops while also delivering books, computers, and other crucial supplies.

  The tsunami was predicted to hit Tuvalu after the recent earthquakes in Japan. It is frightening to think what the repercussions would have been when the islands highest point is a mere 4.5 meters above sea level and the closest outside help would come from Fiji, 1,000km away.

  Fortunately, the tsunami didn’t hit Tuvalu this time. However, geographical conditions, isolated locations, and poorly developed infrastructure make the inhabitants of low-lying areas highly vulnerable.

  Tuvaluans are closely linked to the sea. Children play alone in the waves from when they are very small. Fishing is the main income provider for most families and Tuvalu’s biggest export is seafarers.

  
  

  Tuvalu trailer
  

  Tuvaluans know the strength of the sea, and they respect it. I think this story says it all.

  
  A businessman was at the pier of the small Tuvaluan island when a boat with a fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were fish. The businessman complimented the Tuvaluan on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The fisherman replied: “Only a little while”.

  

  
  The businessman then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish? The Tuvaluan said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The businessman then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?” The Tuvaluan fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap with my wife, Puna, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitars with my friends; I have a full and busy life.”

  

  
  Fishermen set out in their boat, Funafuti. Photograph: Ashley Coope

  The businessman scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You could sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would need to leave this small fishing island-nation and move to Australia, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise.”

  
  

  The Tuvaluan fisherman asked, “But how long will this all take?” To which the businessman replied, “15 to 20 years.” “But what then, sir? The businessman laughed and said, “That’s the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and make millions, flying around on your own corporate jet!” “Millions, sir? Then what?” The businessman said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing island where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends.”

  
  

  The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “Isn’t that what I’m doing right now?”
  

  That’s what I call going the full circle, don’t you?

  
  Courtesy of Hearblack
  By Rob
  
  

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