"I begin my story in a village, because that's where I began," says RAMSI's Culture and Community Outreach Coordinator, Chris Tarohimae, immediately catching the attention of the 16 new advisers with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) sitting before him in the breezy lif haus by the sea.
"In the village, we are all linked together like the weave of a basket. If one part of the weave breaks, then the whole basket will fall apart, so we must work together, supporting each other."
It's an important first lesson on Solomon Islands culture and way of life for Mr Tarohimae's captive audience who have come to Savo, a small volcanic island across from the Solomons' capital, Honiara, to take part in one of RAMSI's regular induction weekends for new civilian deployees and their families.
Beneath a beautifully made traditional leaf roof, before a stunning view out to Iron Bottom Sound, the advisers, drawn from the 15 Pacific Islands Forum countries, spend two days away from the hustle and distraction of Honiara, learning about Solomons' culture, communal life, ways of communicating as well as gaining a better understanding of the goals of RAMSI and what their roles and responsibilities are as members of this unique regional mission.
Welcomed as they arrive with green coconut drinks and locally-made pandanus fans and bags, the families also get a practical experience of what it is like to operate in a rural environment without the comfort of air conditioning or the instant communications normally provided by their mobiles and emails back in town.
Their hosts at Savo's Sunset Lodge, former Prime Minister, Sir Allen Kemakeza and his wife, Lady Jocelyn, are not only welcoming but Sir Allen forms an integral part of the weekend's presentations, briefing the new members on exactly why he decided to invite the mission to deploy in the dark days of 2003.
For Mr Tarohimae, introducing the latest group of RAMSI personnel to the culture and life of Solomon Islanders is an important way for him to help advisers build better relationships with the Solomon Islands public servants they are working with, and enable them to get more out of living and working in Solomon Islands.
Taste of village life: "Knowing one another is the starting point to building relationships. To understand Solomon Islanders, take the context of the village as the starting point. Taste the life of the village, meet people in the place that shapes their lives: family, community and the church," Mr Tarohimae advises.
The weekend is also a unique opportunity for new advisers and their families to experience village life; meet Solomon Island public servants and other RAMSI advisers to discuss what makes a good relationship work; and discover such insights as what it means when Solomon Islanders raise their eyebrows in response to a question. It's also a chance to find out more about the mission and its origin from leaders in the Solomon Islands Government-RAMSI partnership like the government's senior official responsible for RAMSI, Paul Tovua, and Sir Allen.
Mr Tovua, who was also the chairman of the National Peace Council, says he remembers Solomon Islanders as being very apprehensive about RAMSI. "Initially, people thought that RAMSI was actually a man; a great man, a big man, a 'Rambo-like man' who could touch bad people. People were surprised when they met individuals like the first Special Coordinator, Nick Warner, PPF Commander Ben McDevitt and RAMSI's first military commander, Lt Col John Frewen."
Mr Tovua asks the advisers to give the Solomon Islanders they were working with the opportunity to learn. "Please share your expertise, it's so important. Be part of the team and learn to turn negatives into positives through teamwork."
He also urges people to make the most of their time in Solomon Islands. "Working and living in Solomon Islands is what you make it. Get out of Honiara and go to the many islands and meet the people."
 Public servants key: Following his advice, the highlight of the weekend for many is the Sunday morning village visit. The people of Quila village entertain participants with a traditional kastom welcome dance before sitting down in the cool shade of a giant rain tree to share their stories and impart a sense of their lives and the impact that RAMSI has had at a village level. For many advisers, these stories give real meaning to RAMSI's pijin slogan, Helpem Fren:
"The village is really what we are here for," says one, while another says: "I feel less daunted, and have met people who were able to help me, and who will be able to help me during my time here."
For Anna O'Keefe, a New Zealand adviser finishing her time working with the Ministry of Finance, her message to new advisers was simple. "Our success will be measured when we are gone." She suggested that to make long-lasting changes, building relationships and increasing the confidence of Solomon Islands public servants is key. "You simply can't spend too much time developing relationships."
Ms O'Keefe's Solomon Islands colleague, Jennifer Aitorea agreed. "Good advisers are willing to know our culture. Not just Solomon Islands, but our province, and are willing to solve issues by learning, talking and sharing ideas."
RAMSI personnel bring their own diverse mix of cultures and work experience to the mission and these too are shared during the induction weekends, helping to give the first-timers a network of colleagues to draw on in the months ahead.