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| We have had 3 new couples arrive in the last week and a half. This couple is from Clacton on Sea, England. They will be working as Education Specialists i.e. working with youth (and their parents) from pre kindergarten to 18 years. They are under the Self-Relaince umbrella so we have had fun getting to know them and orienting them to Tonga and Self-Reliance in general. The other couples are medical and mentors to middle school teachers (ITEP). |
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| Self-Reliance coordinated with Liahona High School and the Tongan government to do a first ever in the church educational system GED course. The picture above shows the teachers, administrators, missionaries and the 13 students out of 43 who completed the nine month course. Some very heart-warming and inspirational stories to be told about some of the 13. One said: "Tell BYU we're coming!" Another sister said: "I may be too large and too old (38) to climb over the wall (lack of education), but I can break it down!" There were significant sacrifices on student and teacher's parts for this program to get this far. |
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| It was a treat for us to get a visit from my (Dana's) cousin's husband, Willie Moala and 2 of his children. Willie grew up here in Tonga, but they raised their family in Texas, and came to Tonga for a family reunion. |
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| The Liahona High School Graduation Ball |
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| Self-Reliance programs are being introduced in all 19 stakes here. It begins with a devotional called "My Path", which helps people assess their level of self-relliance and decide which of 3 workshops they should take: Education for Better Work, My Job Search, and Starting and Growing My Business. |
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| The boy in the center, Clifton Neiufi, worked as a volunteer for us at our office, and just left for a mission to Sydney, Australia. |
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| Every Saturday there is a "Fair" really a flea market, where people sell the goods that they receive in containers from family or friends overseas. There was a surprise waiting under this family's table. |
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| Elder Tukuafu, the area 70 heard from President Topou that I had been in the laundry businss. Well, the laundry at the only hospital on the island is in dire need of repairs, replacements and maintenance. So Elder Tukuafu and I took a look at the operation. It's true, you do not want to get sick and go to the hospital in Tonga. We might be able to help some, but most machines are beyond repair. Their maintenance men all went to New Zealand for a better paying job. |
