Samoa

This is quite an interesting documentary that looks at the more serious side of life on this idyllic Polynesian island. Whilst we see the usual shinning up coconut trees and basket weaving, most of this concentrates on the enterprising nature of the islanders. Extracting copra from the nuts, or picking cocoa beans, bananas, paw-paw, taro and breadfruit all to finance their increasingly competitive demand for... churches! The capital city of Apia is a busy seaport overlooked by the tomb of renowned author Robert Louis Stevenson whose home is now the residence of the European administrators. The government tries to tackle hookworm and TB with local nurses receiving training on treating these unseen menaces, as well as supplying dentists and vaccinations. Schools staffed by local people are on the increase as is rugby and cricket - with no limit on the size of the team! Technology is gradually encroaching here, but the gist of this - augmented throughout by a local choir providing a continual musical soundtrack - is that the community take the ain't broke don't fix it attitude. Their traditions have served them well for centuries - why change them now?