Nauru

The seminar held in December was the first of its kind, whereby Kiribati, Marshalls, Nauru and FSM were brought together to review their potential marketability prospect to the ever growing movement of visitors into the region. The Seminar was well attended by each nation’s National Tourism Office as well as representatives from private businesses within the region.

The service started at 6pm, with the Sunday school teachers as the preachers. A couple of hymns were sung, chapters of the Bible were read and just before closing the service the children did some action songs and even a drama depicting the birth of the Christ. There was Mary, Joseph, the 3 wise men and baby Jesus.

The children have been learning a whole lot from their Sunday school. Their teachers were very proud of them. Orro Sunday School would like to wish everyone a Blessed Merry Christmas. Their message is Jesus is the reason for the season.

Just over 2000 years ago a saviour was born, to bring hope to a broken world. God had a plan for his people since the very creation of the earth, and it is this same hope that we hold onto as we celebrate Christmas in Nauru in 2015.

The choir sang hymns and Christmas songs throughout the evening. There was plenty of food for everyone. From home cooked meals, local dishes to Chinese delicacies and many more. The women of the church served the guests of honour. Everyone enjoyed the feast and the singing.

The hall was decorated and sitting arrangements were made for all the guests as organisers promised a night to remember.

Guests arrived to the sounds of Christmas carols and songs and the formalities began with an opening prayer by Rev. Dempsey Detenamo.

Just as guests were about to tuck into the lovely spread, a group of girls ran onto the floor to shake some moves in two hula dancing items.

Children from Sunday school groups also sang a number of Christmas carols and hymns much to the delight of everyone.

It was a glamorous sight, seeing the ladies dressed elegantly in their ball gowns with shoes to match, make-up on and their hair made up perfectly, alongside their partners who were well groomed, looking neat and handsome in their tux.

The night went well, there was a lot of dancing and there was even a special dance prepared by the students which they performed for the audience.

They danced gracefully with their partners. Awards were also presented on the night. All year 12 students received a school leaver’s certificate. It was a proud moment and for some emotional.

Solomon Islands' foreign affairs minister Milner Tozaka and the head of the Caribbean and Pacific section of the Commonwealth Secretariat's political division Albert Marina toured Nauru in mid-November after being asked by president Baron Waqa to survey rule of law concerns raised by the international community.

Marina told Pacific Beat that the Commonwealth Secretariat's understanding is that due process is being followed following meetings with the government, the speaker of parliament, the justice department and community groups.

The MOU was signed by Nauru’s President Baron Waqa and Superintendent at the Taichung Veteran’s General Hospital Dr Wayne Sheu on Thursday, 10 December.

Referred patients will include oncology, cardiac, congenital, and patients seen by the Taiwanese team on Nauru.

The MoU means the Nauru Ministry of Health will recognise the TVGH as one of its overseas referral hospitals.

The patients organised an evening of feasting and exchanged gifts with one another.

Family members, doctors and nurses also joined in the celebrations to make the night a memorable one for the patients.

The Republic of Nauru (RON) Hospital's dialysis clinic treats approximately 10 patients per day in four-hour dialysis sessions three days per week.

The Nauru Stars flew home after a gruelling week of competition in Suva.

The team was crowned the 2015 Australian Football League U15 Oceania Cup winners after beating Fiji by 17 points.

The final score was 7-6-48 to 5-1-31.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the young boys and their chaperones walked through the terminal doors at the airport.

The President of AFL Nauru Mathew Batsiua said he was delighted that the team had brought home the silverware.