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