Piano for Queen Salote College

LDS Charities was given a piano from Rangitoto College in New Zealand through Furniture for Schools, our partner. The music instructor at Rangitoto mentioned his idea to dispose of the old piano to Paul Batchelor, a facilities maintenance worker. Batchelor suggested there may be a better alternative to taking the old piano to the landfill, as he had assisted Rangitoto College in donating many old desks, tables, chairs and books to this charity in the past. Batchelor was not aware of a piano being donated before, so he contacted Callum Blair of Furniture for Schools. Callum was thrilled at the prospect of sending a piano to a school in Tonga. He had not delivered a piano before. Callum checked with his contacts in Tonga, LDS Charities, who readily accepted the gift.


We (LDS Charities) searched for the perfect match and selected Queen Salote College. Queen Salote is an all-girls high school in Nuku'alofa. 

The bandmaster, Linikoni (Koni) Taufa plays piano. Koni says "the kids are really excited. Some of the girls can play. Others already ask for lessons." Koni is able to teach the students up to form 4, but the older students need a more qualified teacher. The school is looking for someone now.

“Every morning the kids come to play and sing before assembly. I tell them they have to ask first.” I also tell them “play like you want to play, play to get better.”

Koni plays and the students sing. “We are making memories. They will remember the fun times at Queen Salote singing with the piano. It is a beautiful thing … nothing ever happened like it before.” He loves to have fun with music and loves to see the students having fun too.



At the handover ceremony, Koni played piano while 3 students sang. The band played 2 numbers and the student body sang a song.

Principal Asinate Samate and Koni, as well as the students and teachers, were all smiles at the handover. What a blessing for this school to have a grand piano!

We feel we found a good home for the piano.

Thomsons, Principal Asinate Samate, 3 students, Stake President Ien Tu'ihalanginie, Linikoni Taufa at piano

Let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psalms 95:1