Fiona in Borneo: The Book Launch!!!

Yes the event of the year in the little school of SK Tiga Papan (meaning three planks of wood) is over and it was a wonderful morning full of memorable events culminating with a delicious rungus meal at Howard and Lorina's Tampat do Aman longhouse. We had lots of VIPs - the director of our project, Tricia, along with her boss Keith from KL British Council and many Education Officers from around the district and the head of the academic sector for Sabah. When we arrived at the school we were greeted by all the teachers and given sashes especially woven for the occasion and brought in to sit on the VIP cane sofas.

Preschool performance

The three classrooms had been made into one big room for the event and it was full of parents and children and of course the two illustrators were there too. There were the inevitable speeches and then we had four young people of the village dancing in full rungus costume accompanied by three old people of the village on the gongs. Next there was the performance of the Tasu to the Rescue by the adorable preschool children who were very funny and then a reading of I am Itut-Itut by two year 4 students in beautiful costumes.

Teachers enjoying the lunch afterwards

There was a workshop next making stick puppets of the characters of the story and a chance to chat to the artists and then we finished off with a song and headed for the longhouse for "makan makan". Howard and Lorina have made a small museum to preserve and celebrate the Rungus culture and traditions and we were able to present them with the books to go into the museum and then we all just enjoyed the food and festive atmosphere with everyone in the village.

The one and only Howard dancing at Tampat do Aman

None of this would have been possible without Anna and Mike , the mentors in Kudat, who have worked tirelessly to make the whole event happen and support and encourage the teachers at Tiga Papan, not to mention all the editing and work involved in producing the books. I would also like to thank Howard and Lorina for their support and enthusiasm for everything in the village. Thank you so much - it was a wonderful day and may this be the start of many more books!