Fighting Hunger

We love taking food to the hungry. These families are truly in need. Their homes are meager, even by Tongan standards.
We were not able to go out the past couple of months because we used our money in other ways. This month we pledged each other that we would give food boxes out again.

We asked the Va'enukus to take us to some of the families they are teaching.


SOPU #1
We first visited 2 homes in Sopu which is a very poor area. The first home we visited is a widows's home.


The home is one room. Kitchen is outside. Outhouse can be seen in the photo to the right. Va'enukus recently baptized the mom and 5 of the children.

It had rained this week. Rain does not soak well into the ground in this area. Consequently, it often is wet. The water is all the way under the house, but at least it is not up to the floor boards now.




SOPU #2
When we stopped at the second home, only this young lady was home. Others had gone to 'Eua for a funeral.

The home was destroyed by Cylcone Gita, the remains are shown at the right. The family now lives in a "house" behind the original home (shown below).


This is where the family of 9 now live. They hope to rebuild the home at the original site as above.

In the meantime, the one room home has a dirt floor. It basically is used just for sleeping.

Of course, the kitchen is outdoors, and there is an outhouse.

The family is grateful they are all together and they have a shelter over their heads.




KOLOMOTU'A
At the third home, as is common we shouted out their names as we approached the house. There were 2 young men home. We left 2 boxes of food for this family of 8. Their home also was destroyed by Cyclone Gita.














We helped carry the food boxes into the small home, about 8x7 feet, dirt floor. The picture to the left is the entry into the home. The family is still using tarps on the roof which do leak when it rains. The kitchen is in the area in front of us. This also is a widow's home.
NUKU'ALOFA
The last family we visited is actually 2 families (widows) living together, 15 people. The boy at the right was cleaning fish they had caught that morning. When food is hard to come by, they survive by eating only manioke (root crop similar to potato).

In typical Tongan style, the family gave us fish for our dinner. A family member from Ha'apai had brought them fish and they wanted to share. We did not want to take it but per tradition we must. Sister Va'enuku cooked it up for our dinner.

We know our contributions of food boxes is but a drop in the sea. Each box will provide food for a few days to a week. We wish we could teach them skills so they could provide better for themselves. But we do what we can.
                                            If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

                                                                                                                                Mother Teresa   

Hilliard Memorial School Grand Opening

Excitement filled the air on the day of the grand opening. It has been 7+ months since Cyclone Gita struck the island. The Seventh Day Adventists are the first of the schools to complete the construction on the buildings. The students are thrilled to be moving out of the tents and into a new building with new desks and chairs as well.

When we delivered furniture last week, Principal Katalina Matui invited us to attend the Grand Opening on Friday. We told her we would not miss it. We grow to love the principals, teachers, and students as we assess, organize, and deliver the needs of their school. 

We thought the grand opening would be a small event with the actual moving of furniture to the rooms. Boy, were we Surpised!  

Thomsons, Prime Minister Honorable Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva

          

The Prime Minister Honorable Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva attended and addressed the school. He thanked us in his talk and also personally. When he got up to tour the classrooms, he turned to us and motioned for us to join him and the other SDA leaders. Prime Minister came and shook our hands and also had us sit by him for the group picture of the honored guests. He was very kind to us.

Prime Minister sits in the royal chair. Here he addresses those in attendance

School choir sang a couple of numbers

 The Seventh Day Adventist President Saia Vaea Vea, the SDA Director of Education Piula Fukofuka, and District Director Heilala Fe'aomoeata were all in attendance. When the ceremony was finished and we had toured the new classrooms, we again were thanked for our generous donation. LDS Charities had provided the desks and chairs for all the new rooms ... some of the desks and chairs were from a donation last year. While we had lunch provided by the PTA, we were able to visit with President Vea and  Director Fe'aomoeata for 45 minutes. We hope to meet again on future projects. 

District Director Heilala Fe'aomoeata, Principal Katalina Matui, Thomsons, SDA President Vea

As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light in the lives of others.                         Thomas S Monson 

Hilliard Memorial School - Seventh Day Adventist

Hilliard Memorial School is a primary school, classes 1-6 and forms 1 and 2. The school is run by the Seventh Day Adventist Church.. More than 400 students attend Hilliard.

Hilliard suffered much damage in Cyclone Gita. One complete building with 7 classrooms and all the contents was destroyed. Many students have been meeting in the 5 tents provided by UNICEF.

 We visited Hilliard shortly after the hurricane to speak with the principal and assess their needs. Principal Katalina Matui told us they needed desks and chairs when the building is rebuilt, but currently they have no place to store them. We asked Katalina to call us when the school is complete.

Katalina called right before a shipment was arriving. We arranged to visit with her again to determine the number of desks and chairs. We knew the need was great. Our shipment contained enough desks and chairs that we were able to bring 76 desks and chairs for Hilliard.We  arranged a delivery day.

New Desks

Desks being replaced

The elders got permission from President Tuione to go out of their area to come to the delivery. We were so happy to see them interact with the students.

Elders Holari, Daugherty, Woods

Elder Earl - West Jordan

Stake President Ien Tuihalangingie attended the handover ceremony. He spoke to the children and had fun hamming it up with them. Oh how fun to see President Ien having a grand time with the students. He told us we can invite him to attend these events anytime. "I love this."

The younger children sang and did hand motions.

 

























Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can. -There will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.

Tokomololo Chicken Project

Keleni Mounga

The morning of March 17, 2018, Keleni Mounga knocked on our door. "I have heard a lot about your chicken projects. How can I be part of it?" We explained to Keleni that we work with groups. We told her we would love to help her start a group in Tokomololo. She said she would get some women together in her community and come back to talk to us.

That was the beginning of the chicken project in Tokomololo. It has blossomed. The beginning was 9 women. They added 3 more this week. Not only have they added more people but they have grown in understanding. They meet regularly. They improve their coops in new ways like we have not seen in other groups. They share their thoughts for improvements with each member and work together as a team.






We met this cute little boy when we visited last week.

We love the children who often greet us and make us laugh and smile.

This little guy was shy at first, ducked into the house, but when we left he was at the front door waving.

Watering improvement

     




The ladies surprised us when we came to one coop. They waited anxiously as they steered us in the right direction. When we turned the corner, we saw these CHICKENS DRESSED FOR THE PARTY! 

 

   

Fela Tuakoi, granddaughter of Sister Vei, Tokomololo group

     

                                     

Keleni and her friends also see the importance of home gardens. They want their families to be healthy. The gardens have been planted and they are harvesting. They sent us home with lettuce and bok choy. 

Last week, they gave us star fruit, which we used in our smoothies ... delicious. 

This group is going and growing and improving. 

Elder Thomson loves the chicken project and gardening. He sees how it improves the lives and health of the people. Elder Thomson is a hard worker and his enthusiasm for these 2 projects is contagious. The ladies listen closely to his thoughts and encouragements. He is a great missionary companion!

Keleni's newest idea is for a better way to cook outdoors. Monte is looking into finding a cheap way to make a rocket stove. The people here cannot afford fancy rocket stove. They need simple easy and effective way to cook. Keleni says buying gas for cooking is expensive, "there must be another way." I am anxious to see where this goes.

The prophet said to plant a garden, so that's what we'll do.

For God has given rich brown soil, the rain and sunshine too.

And if we plant the seeds just right and tend them carefully,

Before we know, good things will grow to feed our family.

LDS Children's Hymnbook page 237

GPS in Lapaha, Hoi, Kologna

We had a busy day delivering furniture to the eastern end of Tongatapu.

LAPAHA GPS
We had 5 tables and 26 chairs for class 1 at Lapaha GPS to finish up furniture for the lower classes. We had delivered tables and chairs for 2 other classes earlier.

   

       Palmer, Principal Na'asipa Ngungutau, Thomsons   

We began by sitting at one of the tables with some of the class 1 students who would be using these tables and chairs. We love the bright colors of these furnishings.   

   

Principal Na'asipa Ngungutau promised a program with this delivery, and the children delivered!

First was a class 5 girl and her younger sister class 1 doing traditional Tongan dance. This brought BIG smiles to our faces. Elder Thomson tucked money into each of their hair (Tongan tradition) to show appreciation. I love the reds of the shells in the girl's kahoa (necklace). This would have taken several hours to string together. The dress is made of bark and painted by hand.

Other students did a sit down dance with hand motions, and of course singing with marvelous voices.

 Each class performed their own. I love how everyone was highlighted. The little kids did a simple song and did their usual giggles and squirms along with it. Loved it!

Oh how we love to deliver furniture to the schools. The GPS students are cute and are so appreciative and helpful with moving the furniture from truck to display to class. And they love to perform.


HOI GPS

Back: Teacher, PTA president, principal, Thomsons, Silongo Samani, Palmers

We stopped to visit Hoi GPS on the way home from Navutoka GPS a month ago. Principal Ika Tulimai Ngungutau showed us around the damaged buildings. One main building will be bulldozed and a new building constructed in its place. In the meantime the children will crowd in the remaining buildings. Principal said they only need a table and 5 chairs, so that is what we took. Once she saw the tables and chairs we brought, she asked if we could bring 2 more tables and chairs; more students are moving back to Hoi for school. We delivered these a couple days later. The children all sang, and 3 of the older girls danced.


This school is very poor. The Peace Corps is going to fix the bathroom, which we had asked about. UNICEF gave balls and hula hoops after Cyclone Gita so that need also has been filled. We told Principal to call us once the building is complete so we can see the new facility and to let us know if they need more desks when the building is done and if they have other needs in the meantime.




KOLOGNA GPS
Desks and chairs have been taken to Kologna GPS in past years by LDS Charities. This year they asked for filing cabinets and 6 teacher chairs. We received a shipment which contained both. We were able to take 4 filing cabinets and 6 teacher chairs to Kologna GPS.

We did not expect the children to sing for us. We were just taking chairs for the teachers. We were surprised. These children sang out with their hearts.When the Tongans sing, it sounds like a full choir, even these children. It was beautiful.

This ended our day's work. We always feel so happy on days we deliver to schools to help fill their needs. This was a very fun day. We had asked the Palmers to come with us. Elder Palmer was a principal at a primary school in Payson, Utah, and they thoroughly enjoyed their day with us.

We did not think there would be any kind of handover at Hoi or Kologna. We just gave each a few things, but the Tongans show their gratitude. They are very loving and love to show their appreciation.


My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.                                                                     President Thomas S. Monson

St Andrews High School

We pass by St Andrew's High School every day on our way to the office. We felt impressed to stop and see the needs of the school. They suffered water damage during Cyclone Gita, which flooded many of the rooms. St Andrew's is the only Anglican school in Tonga.

Like all Tongan schools, St Andrew's struggles to find enough funds to carry on its work. Many families are unemployed and cannot easily pay the fees, and the government subsidy is sometimes not paid in full. Money for maintenance and basic educational supplies is inadequate.

Principal Mo'unga Maka was very happy to talk with us about the many needs at St Andrew's. We were able to quickly take English dictionaries, encyclopedia, Atlases, netball hoops and balls, and a tall table to be used in the shop or kitchen. We told Maka we would call him when a container arrived which would fit St Andrew's needs. A container arrived with desks and chairs. Upon its arrival, we called Maka and arranged a time to deliver. 

We also discussed needs for the kitchen. The refrigerator and 2 stoves were ruined with the flooding from Cyclone Gita. The home economics class is also in need of small appliances, pots and pans, etc. We will try to come up with a way to help these needs as well.

A handover ceremony was held to show appreciation. We took 56 desks and chairs. It was too much for our truck. The principal had told us they had a truck if we needed help delivering so we called them and he sent some boys and the truck over. 

Many boys helped unload the trucks and put the furniture in the auditorium where the handover was held. 

Ien Tui'halangingie and Paku Tausinga

Deputy (vice princiipal) Paku Tausinga thanked LDS Charities for the school furniture. He said this is the beginning of a new friendship. He said he felt the LDS Church used to do their own thing and now are reaching out to others. "We have seen you on TV helping many schools. Now it is our turn" Deputy Tausinga asked the students to care for these desks and chairs; "they are worth several thousands of dollars"...He is right, they are. 

Stake President Ien Tui'halangingie told the students he had gone to St Andrews 40 years ago, and Deputy Tausinga was one of his teachers! They have now renewed a friendship. He told the students they will be the leaders in a few years so study and prepare.
We were blown away by the band and the soloist and his sister who joined in the singing part way through the song! 

We talked with the students about how they will be the leaders of the community. We encouraged them to love learning. We challenged them as they accept this gift of school desks and chairs to turn around themselves and "pay it forward," which we explained means for them to do something kind to others. 

 Gratitude brings warmth to the giver and the receiver alike."  
                                                                               Elder Robert D. Hales

Humpback Whales

Humpback whales migrate more than 5000 km from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to the Kingdom of Tonga to give birth, nurse, court and mate. 

The humpback whale season in Tonga

• Pregnant mothers arrive first in mid-July to give birth in warm, shallow water, which is easier and safer for newborn babies as it’s free from the main predators of baby whales, orcas and big sharks. Sometimes the mothers are accompanied by male escorts who are hoping to mate with her that season or the next.

Humpback Whale Facts & Figures

• Length from 40–52 ft (12–16 metres). Weight approximately 40 tons, females slightly heavier than males.

• Distinguished by: unique body shape, the bump in front of their small dorsal fin for which they are named, unusually long pectoral (side) fins, knobbly head and spectacular surface behavior, including dramatic breaching and competitive groups.      

• Pattern on the fluke (underside of their tails) enables us to tell individuals apart.
• Life expectancy is estimated at least 40 to 50 years. Humpback whales are believed to mature between 5-10 years when they reach around 12m (40’) in length.
• Newborns (around 15 feet long!) are nursed by their mothers for one year, consuming up to 100 gallons (370 L) of chunky 50% fat milk per day.
• Dives last 10-15 mins, max 45 mins. Calves must surface to breathe every 1-5 mins.  
• Blow: bushy, heart-shaped blast of mist about 15 ft (5 m) high is the result of air and water vapor launched at 900 mph (1400 kph). 
• Dramatic and exciting is the breach during which the whale launches its entire body out of the water with just 2 to 3 flicks of the tail, making this muscle the strongest in the animal kingdom.  

Senior Couples Whale Watching 2018

Busby, Thomson, Murdoch, Palmer

We are so happy we got to go whale watching a second time...and with many new couples. Only us and the Busbys were on our second whale watching trip.

Last year we did not see any whales breach; this year we saw many - Oh, how thrilling! Some whales even swam right up to the boat and passed in front of us, as well as some swam under the boat. These animals are HUGE!

    

Every time we saw a breech, we shouted with amazement. It is amazing how these huge animals can lift themselves out of the water. We loved every splash we saw.



We watched the whales swim close by our boat, amazed at their size. When they dove, we again shouted and oohed and aahed. Everyone loves seeing a good whale tail.


We tried to guess where the whale would resurface. Sometimes we were right. Other times they came up on the other side of the boat or way far away.

Whales were swimming alone at times, and other times we found 2 or 3 together. Sometimes with a baby, other times probably with a mate, as the whales come to the warm waters to mate and bear offspring.

We were able to hear the whales singing. On the internet, I found that that the males sing in order to attract a female to mate with.

These pictures are a combination of pictures taken by Elder Thomson and Elder Busby, except of course, the one on the top was not either of them, but from the internet. Thank you Elder Busby for sharing your best pictures.

"And God created the whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly ... And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas."                    Genesis 1:21-23 s 1:1:21-2320–23.