Paint the School - Tokomololo GPS

Liahona Stake has done many projects in Tokomololo. They have mowed and raked the tall tall grass of the playing field next to the school. They have picked up rubbish, cleared brush, and hauled it away as agreed with the town officer. Community members cleaned up the cemetery and reshaped the cemetery mounts. Members and nonmembers worked together to clear the yard for the village water pump. They cleaned the roadside frontage yards to make them look nice as people drive through the village. They now have a desire to paint the GPS, not only to beautiful the school but to make it a more pleasing place for the students to learn.















Liahona Stake now has the desire to paint the GPS in Tokomololo. This school really is in need of painting. The school is on the main road through the village and is seen by all who pass by.

 Liahona Stake Public Affairs approached LDS Charities to help with purchasing paint for the school, in keeping with their goal to "bring the Church out of obscurity". We feel this project is in keeping with our mandate to serve the poor and the needy; this little school is definitely in need of sprucing up. The community, members and nonmembers, worked together to make their school look great.

President Vataniloka Fifita

It is great to see this village making news by cleaning up their area.

They have been in the paper and on TV several times doing the above projects. We were pleased to help provide paint for Tokomololo GPS.



As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands – one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.    Audrey Hepburn

Fafa Island

I wrote about our Fafa trip on the Hess visit, but there is more to share.

When we were taken to our fale, coconut water awaited us. Tongan hospitality. We love coconut water, and this was so decorative. It is healthy and when plucked right off the tree especially refreshing.

 

Our fale was actually 2 rooms. Hesses were in one and we with the other. A hallway was between the 2 rooms with the bathroom between. We enjoyed the outdoor shower after snorkeling ... Outdoors but totally private … unless the parrots fly over. Our yard was totally private with hammock, lounge chairs, beach view. 

 

 We walked straight from our fale to the ocean for snorkeling, but only snorkel at high tide. When it is low tide, your tummy scrapes the coral. The first time out we learned that lesson.

We strolled around the island, along sand and rock. Looking north is Nuku’alofa. Any other direction is the sea. We love the ocean and have never tired of our trips to the sea. We need an uplift, it is to the beach. Even our travels by boats on our mission in rough or semi-rough water have been a pleasure to us.

 

 Birds' chatter in the morning was a pleasant awakening…a little early, but we love the birds (it was not the parrots, but the pretty song birds). We took an early morning hike across the island. The foliage is dense and we were in time for a sunrise.

 

 

 

At lunch, Monte asked for a coconut. The waitress said no, but we pointed out there were coconut trees all around. She went to the waiter. He took of his shirt and shoes, and climbed the nearest tree! The first coconut he cut down, he said was too old. So he climbed a second tree, which he pronounced the coconut to be perfect….and Monte agreed. Now that was going the extra mile.

 

We loved that Julie and Darren were able to come visit. How wonderful to have family come so far.