Ha'afeva Ha'apai Water Project

LDS Charities water project in Ha'afeva, Ha'apai was completed. When a project is completed, we have to go to the site to make sure it is done and operating, and then hand it over to the village or other partner.

We left the house at 6:15 a.m. to catch our plane to Pangai on the island of Lifuka in the Ha'apai group. The plane had 10 rows, 2 seats on the right and 1 seat on the left. Our seat was the front row ... no curtain between the cockpit and our seat. Elder Thomson enjoyed watching the cockpit dashboard.

We landed in Pangai, gathered our 2 small dufflebags, and went out for our ride. We felt like John Groberg on The Other Side of Heaven! No one was there to meet us. The Parliament member who we had partnered with on this project had been on a plane. He asked if we wanted a ride to town. We said no, someone would be along. Three other people offered a ride. Finally we accepted and were taken to the FM building in town. There we sat, with people asking if we needed anything. Finally, Latu from FM (who was supposed to pick us up) and the 2 boat operators who also work for FM drove up. They had been out in the boat. Latu thought we were on a later flight!

I loved the boat ride!

Feao, one of the boat operators gave us a ride to Sandy Beach, our accommodations, to check in and then brought us back to FM. We headed for the mission boat. First we waited for 2 elders who needed a ride to Uiha (another island between the main island and Ha'afeva). When they arrived, off we went.

The seas were calm so we got to Ha'afeva without any problems, even though we passed through the Auhangamea Channel, one of the most treacherous waters in Tonga. It was rough there, but I have been in a smaller boat in much heavier seas!

Arriving at Ha'afeva

Water Need

Ha'afeva has had poor water for quite some time, including outbreaks of typhoid. They had a solar system provided by Japan Air but it has failed; thus the only water they have had recently was rain catchment.

During times of drought Ha'afeva does not have enough water for their island, yet they still share with the surrounding islands who come with containers to fill and take back to their islands. As water is precious, it is for drinking and cooking. Bathing is done in the ocean. 

Solar Project

LDS Charities provided a solar water system for the island. There now is enough water for the little island and more to share as needed to the surrounding islands.

Town officer Kisione Toulani by borehole

Inverter and battery with a charging controller not seen.
Elder Thomson, Stake President (right) and Counselor 

                     Elder Thomson by the solar panels.

We usually have the privilege of talking at each handover. At this one Elder Thomson talked about how LDS Charities gets their money -- not from tithing, not from government, not from the church but from individual donations. All the money donated goes to humanitarian needs. Sister Thomson talked about how our bodies need water. We can live for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. So this water we provide is vital to the people of Ha'afeve. 

As water is essential to sustain physical life, we likewise need the living water. The Savior and His teachings (the living water) are essential for eternal life. 

John 4:13-15: Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

Isaiah 12:3: With joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.