Diabetes is a huge concern in Tonga

The Pacific Islands have become known for obesity and diabetes rates. While more than half of all Pacific Islanders are obese, one in four lives with diabetes. Complications are evident as you walk the streets of Tonga; there are many people in wheelchairs because of amputations.

It is heard among the Tongans, "I will grow up to have diabetes, have an amputation, and die from its complications."

This does not need to be so.

LDS Charities is launching a 12-week pilot program aimed at controlling diabetes through awareness, healthy eating, and exercise. After Elder and Sister Bills, Area Welfare Specialists in New Zealand, presented the new program with the leadership of the Harbour and Ha'akame Stakes, we did health screening on any participant who wanted it done. Most participated. 

We measured height, weight, girth, blood sugar, and blood pressure. In the pilot, weight, blood sugar and blood pressure will be measured at weeks 1, 6, and 11 to measure improvement.

Some people had never been tested before. Some had high numbers and vowed to do something about it. Awareness will hopefully move people toward lifestyle changes.

Below: Sister Busby measured height, Sister Heiner girth, Brother Heiner weight, Elder Coombs blood sugar, Sister Thomson blood pressure.

      

Ha'apai Snorkeling and Kayaking

After finishing our water project work and meeting with the stake president to discuss and visit gardening and ploughing needs, we paid for 2 extra nights while in Ha'apai to enjoy some much needed R&R.

Above: Monte walking down to the kayaks

Left: Rissa collecting shells.

Our fale at Sandy Beach. We sat on our front porch and watched the waves, boats, kayakers, snorkelers, and people collecting shells. We read our books and sipped our bottled water. We had our own little path down to the sea.

The weather was beautiful. Looked at the blue blue skies. It was a bit warm at night, but the windows had screens (no glass) so the ocean breeze kept it tolerable.



First activity was kayaking. The kayaks were included with the cost of the accommodations. We asked for paddles and picked out our kayaks ... single or double. Of course, we each wanted our own! It is so fun to jump in and paddle into the waves. Rissa saw the first turtle. He was sunning on the top of the waves. When  I shouted for Monte to paddle over, of course I startled the turtle who then dove and swam away. We kayaked on up to the other end of the island. On the way back, Monte saw a turtle. So glad we both got to see one. We had seen one other turtle; that was on our whale watching trip the first of October.   


We also got to snorkel - right out of the sea in front of our fale. Everyone talks about the blue starfish, but I had not seen one yet even though we have gone out a few times on Tongatapu. As I was enjoying watching the antics of a clown fish among the anemone, Monte tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. I turned and moved a few feet to the left, there I saw 3 blue starfish! They were bright blue like the turquoise in the picture of us kayaking. I loved it. There were all sorts of fish. One we really liked was yellow with a blue stripe across its face. There were many blue neon fish and several types of clown fish.

The other fun thing was walking along the beach and collecting shells, and of course taking pictures.
We kayaked to an uninhabited island (about a 15-minute paddle). As we walked across a rocky area, Rissa jumped, then froze. A rock was moving!  No, on second look, it was a huge black crab. I have seen some big crabs before, but this was massive - about a foot across - and mean looking. Monte followed it a ways as it back up until it reached the rock wall and could go no further. At that point, the crab showed its claws and was ready to fight. We wanted nothing to do with that. I wish we had had our camera, but as I had already dropped the phone in the kayak on the last kayaking trip we had left it at home.

We continued our walk around the island, picking up shells as we went. Three will be shells for the grandkids when we come home. There are so many different colors, sizes, and shapes.

Monte took a very cute picture of a little crab - I love the way he captured the water waves around this guy.

Time to travel home came to soon! We hope to go back to Ha'apai. We are trying to get a new water system for Lofanga, so hopefully we will get back. There is also the possibility of gardening and ploughing in Pangai on the main island of the Ha'apai group.


Ha'apai was very laid back, slow paced, and so very very friendly... a restful place to stay.

Lofanga

We left Ha'afeva bound for Lofanga, an even smaller island with a population of about 250. Again, nobody was ready for our arrival. We walked up the little hill and on to the village to find the town officer or water committee chairperson to discuss the needs. A man came out from behind the first house we came to. He said he would go find the water chairman.

Elder Thomson and Fe'ao walking up the path to the village

The water needs in Lofanga are even more troublesome than Ha'afeve. They had a bore hole but now it has failed; the water is too salty to use and muddy as well. There used to be a solar system provided by another aid group which has failed. About a quarter of the homes in Lofanga have rain catchment systems to provide water. The people share the water from these systems with the others on the island. During the drought system, the need is great.

We came on a fact-finding visit. Lofanga will require a new bore hole. We were told a government survey was done a while back and the location for a new bore hole was determined. We are now trying to locate that survey and verify the information. We have a letter of the owner of the land stating it can be used for a bore hole. We have much research to do in order to get a project for this island. It will be a challenge to get equipment to drill the bore hole. We will be working on this possible project for a while.

We loved the little village. All the people were friendly. We visited with one family and were given bananas while we waited for the water chairman, who it turned out is also the town officer. We hope we will be able to help with their water needs.

Ha'afeva Ha'apai Water Project

LDS Charities water project in Ha'afeva, Ha'apai was completed. When a project is completed, we have to go to the site to make sure it is done and operating, and then hand it over to the village or other partner.

We left the house at 6:15 a.m. to catch our plane to Pangai on the island of Lifuka in the Ha'apai group. The plane had 10 rows, 2 seats on the right and 1 seat on the left. Our seat was the front row ... no curtain between the cockpit and our seat. Elder Thomson enjoyed watching the cockpit dashboard.

We landed in Pangai, gathered our 2 small dufflebags, and went out for our ride. We felt like John Groberg on The Other Side of Heaven! No one was there to meet us. The Parliament member who we had partnered with on this project had been on a plane. He asked if we wanted a ride to town. We said no, someone would be along. Three other people offered a ride. Finally we accepted and were taken to the FM building in town. There we sat, with people asking if we needed anything. Finally, Latu from FM (who was supposed to pick us up) and the 2 boat operators who also work for FM drove up. They had been out in the boat. Latu thought we were on a later flight!

I loved the boat ride!

Feao, one of the boat operators gave us a ride to Sandy Beach, our accommodations, to check in and then brought us back to FM. We headed for the mission boat. First we waited for 2 elders who needed a ride to Uiha (another island between the main island and Ha'afeva). When they arrived, off we went.

The seas were calm so we got to Ha'afeva without any problems, even though we passed through the Auhangamea Channel, one of the most treacherous waters in Tonga. It was rough there, but I have been in a smaller boat in much heavier seas!

Arriving at Ha'afeva

Water Need

Ha'afeva has had poor water for quite some time, including outbreaks of typhoid. They had a solar system provided by Japan Air but it has failed; thus the only water they have had recently was rain catchment.

During times of drought Ha'afeva does not have enough water for their island, yet they still share with the surrounding islands who come with containers to fill and take back to their islands. As water is precious, it is for drinking and cooking. Bathing is done in the ocean. 

Solar Project

LDS Charities provided a solar water system for the island. There now is enough water for the little island and more to share as needed to the surrounding islands.

Town officer Kisione Toulani by borehole

Inverter and battery with a charging controller not seen.
Elder Thomson, Stake President (right) and Counselor 

                     Elder Thomson by the solar panels.

We usually have the privilege of talking at each handover. At this one Elder Thomson talked about how LDS Charities gets their money -- not from tithing, not from government, not from the church but from individual donations. All the money donated goes to humanitarian needs. Sister Thomson talked about how our bodies need water. We can live for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. So this water we provide is vital to the people of Ha'afeve. 

As water is essential to sustain physical life, we likewise need the living water. The Savior and His teachings (the living water) are essential for eternal life. 

John 4:13-15: Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

Isaiah 12:3: With joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Senior Couples dinner

The senior couples go to dinner once a month together. This month we went to Little Italy. Our mission president came too. The restaurant is right across from the ocean so great views to go with the wonderful company of our family in Tonga.

Interesting story: The next day we went to Ha'apai (an hour plane ride) to close a water project which was completed. At our resort, we met a young man (30s) who was working to upgrade internet in Tonga. He asked if we were at Little Italy Friday night in Nuku'alofa. "You looked like you were all having such a fun time." We then had a discussion on what we were doing in Tonga. I guess you never know when you are being watched.

Other dinner nights we have eaten at Marcos Pizza and Pasta, Waterfront (best mahi mahi I have had), Little India (tikka masala), Vakaloa Beach Resort (traditional Tongan food with show).

Left: President and Sister Tuione, Coombs, Zemps, Heiner, Elder Oldroyd

Right: Sister Oldroyd, Walker, Vaenuku, Thomson, Busby

Grand Ball: We Danced with the Princess

Friday night was the GRAND BALL.



The Princess and her escort lead the procession of the first dance.

The dance starts out just the couple. Second round is 2x2, next 4x4, etc. 

It was really quite beautiful. everyone was all smiles and having a grand time.

This little girl was at the table next to ours. Her dress typified the attire for the night ... your best!

Our friends, Elder and Sister Heiner, came with us to the Grand Ball. Sister Heinter took our picture as evidence of our dancing with the Princess. We did not get a picture of them because we were dancing when they were too. 

We invited other senior couples. Some don't dance. Some were not available. After the report of this fun evening, most want us to invite them the next time we are invited to such an event.

As we work amongst the people and with the bishops and stake presidents, we are often invited to cultural happenings. 

Uike Katoanga Kainga Lavaka (Celebration Week Kindred Lavaka)

This week was Kahoua-Pea-Lomaiviti Week, similar to Magrath Days. The land of these villages is owned by the King so royalty was present at the events. Last Saturday the King did a drive-through of the villages. 

Tuesday we had been told was 72-hour kit day. We interpreted that to be a work day so Elder Thomson wore his work clothes: dress-down pants and LDS Charities golf shirt. I did have on a skirt and blouse. When we arrived prepared to work, the people were awaiting the Princess. This was going to be a full-blown celebration with the Princess in attendance. Appropriate clothing would have been our Tongan attire! We did not have time to go home for Elder Thomson to change his clothes. But Bishop Tevake, who had invited us, told us we were fine, we are palangi (non-Tongan), it is okay what we were wearing, and he proceeded to seat us in our usual spots ... front and center. 

To begin the day, boys age 8-12 strutted out in white gym shorts and shirts. They went forward, bowed to the Princess, then proceeded to do the haka, recently known as the Mate Ma'a Tonga because the Tongan rubgy team did this before each match of the recent World Rugby Games.


This was a great way to begin the dancing. The Princess, as well as everyone else, was laughing and clapping for these boys.

The princess came down to see the 72-hour kits, which had already been made and were to be given to the handicapped center in Pea.

On the right, the military escort keeps the sun off the Princess. He is walking her back to the tent covered with tapa mats on the walls, ceilings, and flooring. It was quite beautiful.



Different groups danced before the Princess. Before dancing, they all bowed to the princess. Tongan dress and dances were beautiful. It was quite the show. We felt so honored to be a part of this cultural event.

Beautiful Tongan dress and headpiece The men danced
around the lady who performed a traditional Tongan woman's dance.

Youth dance

I loved this boys enthusiasm

   

Handicapped performed a dance

This is the tent where the Princess was seated for the celebration. After she left, people were allowed to go and have their pictures taken.

Note the beautiful tapa mat on the floor. There were others on the walls and extending out beyond the tent onto the "dance floor."

I am holding a picture of the Princess. We felt funny going into the tent and I was nervous about sitting on her chair. We were assured it was okay.

This was a fun day. The dancing was marvelous. I hope this is a yearly event and we will be able to attend again next year.