Ha'apai Dependent on Shipping

Emergency supplies arrived from New Zealand so we were finally able to get the 20-foot emergency container for Ha'apai packed and ready for shipping. Friendly Island Shipping Agency (FISA) picked up the container at our welfare office in Mau'fanga and said it would be on the boat Monday morning and arrive in Pangai, Ha'apai Monday evening.We bought a plane ticket and flew to Ha'apai.

Vili Toutai from FM picked us up and brought us to our home away from home, the mission quarters behind the FM building and right across the street from the port. We went for a short walk around the small town and bought some mangos and a pineapple ... so sweet. We went into our little quarters to cool down.

We saw a ship arrive and walked across the street to watch it unload. It had come from Vava'u on its way to Tongatapu. The contents were unloaded with a front-end loader.

It seemed the whole island was down at the dock waiting for a shipment to arrive. It was the place to be. We loved interacting with the people. They were so happy.





Our phone rang. "Silongo - letting you know the container did not get on the boat." WHAT? Frustration and disappointment. Now we had flown up to Ha'apai for really nothing.

We would have to buy a ticket home the next day and will return once we figure out why the container was not on this shipment.

We did, however, thoroughly enjoy watching the busy harbor. Shortly after the first boat left, the bigger ship from Tongatapu arrived, the MV 'Otuanga'ofa. It was very interesting watching it unload. So many things came on the boat including a trailer, containers full of personal items, cars, cows, food, motorcycles, and items to be sold at the Chinese stores and hardware shop. Ha'apai is totally dependent on shipping. It is a tiny cluster of islands with no business or industry. The people live on what they can grow and what they have shipped.

Trailer being off-loaded

 





















While the MV 'Otuanga'ofa unloaded, the passenger MV Maui arrived. The boat seemed to be packed. Many got off, but others were continuing on to Vava'u. The MV Maui is the new passenger ferry called "the fast boat." Instead of 10-12 hours, the fast boat takes 7-8. It was also interesting watching the people disembark and wait for their luggage which was lifted out from below via a crane. What a fun time watching people meet their friends and relatives!

Once the ships left, we tried to think of what we could do. We remembered the LDS Middle School received new desks and chairs and donating the old to LDS Charities to give to a needy school on the island. They had been storing them until we could find a donor school.

We called Villi to take us around to see the other middle schools on the island. We visited 4 schools. Two had recently gotten new desks and chairs, one from China and one from Japan. The last 2 schools we visited were in great need. We decided to split the donation 60/40 with the Wesleyan School and the Church of Tonga School, the split because there are many more students at the Wesleyan School but the Church of Tonga School is in much need. Since it was the last day of classes, the desks and chairs will remain at the LDS Middle School and will be delivered in January when school resumes.

    As we Arise each morning let us determine to respond with love and kindness to 

    whatever might come our way.                  Thomas S Monson

Fatai GPS

We received a letter for needed work at Fatai GPS where 150 students, 86 boys and 64 girls, attend school from the surrounding villages of Fatai, Lapeka, Nukunuku, and Matafonua. When we visited, we saw much need for this school. Walls need repair. Flooring, windows, and doors need replacing. The students were in need of desks and chairs. 

In talking with the principal Lopiseni Kilioni, we were told the most URGENT need is to  improve the toilet facilities. There was only one working toilet for the 86 boys. There were 3 working toilets (although leaking) on the girls' side, one totally not working, and the girls had to wade through water to get to the toilet. There were no doors on any of the stalls which faced outward --- NO privacy. There was no sink for washing hands.

From this .............

     

    With Much Work ...

Keni Kau "helping" the plumbers

                 

To This ..............

We knew this school needed help and we went to work. We partnered with the plumbing program at Tonga Institute of Science and Technology. Talanoa Hafoka, principal, discsussed with Siuta, plumbing teacher; they agreed to do the work as practicum for the students. TIST students installed all the toilets and sinks in a few days.

We think this will be a lasting partnership, with TIST supplying labor in completing our projects.




We love the blue doors ... now there is privacy. Stake President Hikila made the doors and installed them for us.


The boys have been cleaning the facilities. This is a group we saw one day. When they saw us, they had to pause for a photo.

Another concern was the leaking roof in one room. LDS Charities purchased roofing tin and the carpentry students at TIST fixed it. 

We looked through our warehouse for furniture and selected desks and chairs, file cabinets, and teacher chairs and brought them to Fatai.

Students had been playing out front. When they saw us pull up, their eyes were as BIG as saucers and they all had HUGE smiles, as was the principals. They literally danced across the field. They had not expected this.





Boys climbed in the truck and were eager to unload. Lopiseni and Elder Thomson directed traffic. I stood out of the way. I am better at taking pictures than staying out of the way of the kids with their arms full.

Once the desks and chairs were in the classrooms, the class 5 students sat down, and Lopiseni led the students in singing songs to show their appreciation.

We thanked them for their songs and for their help in unloading the furniture.

We told them to study hard and learn to love learning.




                   Fill your mind with truth. Fill your heart with love. Fill your life with service.        
                                                               Thomas S. Monson

Building Houses

One of the main concerns when Cyclone Gita struck 12 February 2018 was shelter. Short-term this was addressed with tents and tarps/plastic. We are now in the long-term plan. LDS Charities and Self Reliance along with Preisthood Projects have partnered with CARE Australia, Tonga Skills (funded by Australia), Tonga Institute of Science and Technology (TIST), MORDI, and Caritas (Catholic Church) for this project.

More than 250 houses will be built by 124 trainees. Each of the students will receive tool kits and safety gear valued at $1000 TOP for the project, which they will keep. Working alongside master tradesmen, the trainees will start building in November and continue through to February. They will receive certificate II in Carpentry from TIST. These students will then be able to find employment in carpentry, although many will go on to first earn certificate 3. These certificates are recognized not only in Tonga but also Australia and New Zealand.

Mobile mill used to cut coconut trees for use in building

Downed coconut trees have been logged and cut into timber to be used for the project. 






Some homes have already been built by men in the church. Each stake was asked to build a certain number of homes based on the amount of damage in that stake. The new project takes building of homes to a much larger scale. Homes will continue to be built throughout Tongatapu and 'Eua.

Francis Howes and Cynthia Ojiambo of Tonga Skills try on safety equipment

Tool kits arrived in a shipment this week. Representatives from the partners were present when LDS Charities unloaded the container with the help of missionaries. The boxes will be stored in our warehouse until Monday when the students will receive their kits. Each student will receive a tool belt, safety helmet, safety boots, tool box filled with tools including hammer, hand saw, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. Tonga Skills has said they will also provide some power tools.

Students assembled for a discussion of the project and were shown the tool kits they will receive.

The students listened attentively as the partners addressed them. They learned how the project came to be and what is expected of them.

Students will be given life skills as they participate in this house-building project. They will be able to support their families.

Front row: Verna Tukuafu (Self Reliance), Talanoa Hafoka (TIST principal), Francis Howes (Tonga Skills), student, Cynthia Ojiambo (Tonga Skills), Elder K. Brett Nattress (Pacific Area Presidency), Elder 'Aisake Tukuafu (Area Seventy), President Etuate Toutai (Welfare agent stake president), Silongo Samani (Country Welfare Manager), Sister Thomson (LDS Charities), President Fifita (Liahona Stake)

Elder K. Brett Nattress (General Authority Seventy) was in Tonga when the tool kits arrived. We were pleased to hear from him at the meeting with students. Elder Nattress recited a family story. When his grandmother was a young girl, the family had come on hard times. The grandmother age 11 and a younger sister worked at a store. At the end of the day they swept the floor and picked up the crumbs to take home to eat. A lady noticed the girls, took them rice pudding, and saw their potential. She taught them to read and write, and later helped them fulfill their dream to move to America. Elder Nattress told the students they are now that person. They have been given tools to help others.

Elder Nattress also reiterated the parable of the Talents, wherein we are instructed to increase our talents. Elder Nattress encouraged the students to use the talents and skills they are being given in this project to bless not only their own lives but also the lives of others.

       Learning is a treasure that follows its owner everywhere.

                                                                              Chinese Proverb