Heading out again!

07/01/07 , by Posted by: admin

I am not sure who has moved on! Myself or Tonga? Or may be both? I couldn't believe I've had around about a month in Tonga and this is only my second blog, and doing it on my way out. I can start the long list of excuses but what use?

OK - about the 'Uiha Kindergarten project! I was hoping that work should start around now, but it is not so. Two reasons; first, I spend a bit of time in 'Uiha island itself and after consulting with a few old wise-men of the island, we believe the location is crucial so we have decided to propose for the school classroom to be build in a more central part of the village (not that 'Uiha is that vast).

The ideal piece of land belongs to the SUTT (Methodist church), and it is in this piece of land that the very first school in the island stood (up until the late 1970s, before the church decide to close it down replaced by a business venture which destroyed by a hurricane in 1982). The response has been very very positive, but off-course it has to be passed offcially by the Church Trustee Meeting which would be in the next week or two.

The other reaoson is the grant proposal we submitted to AusAid, which has taken a few twists and turns. It's apparently normal in Tonga! AusAid has responded positively to our grant proposal, although they say they are waiting to hear from the Government Central Planning Department. This is the uncertain process because time ticks differently in Tonga. But I was told they should have an answer 'very soon'.

More Project(s) - I spend time looking around for something for us to do (well, something that we can help with). It feels funny saying what I've just said in the first sentence, because, where on earth there aren't anything to do? But anyways, I will have to get home and work with Heta (she is alot better) in putting things in order before we put it in front of you all to see. What I had picked up though is the fact that we negelect school facilites, especially old traditional schools that have so much to offer in terms of their history. Stay tune and stay ready, but more importantly, pray hard for Tonga young people!

Rugby - Ooohh dear! Where do I start? I didn't manage to play but I was not too far from rugby action. The 'Ikale played one game in Tonga. A very good one though the result didn't go the 'Ikale Tahi's way. But there are also local rugby competitions going on and I got dragged into helping one of the local team. In fact, I manage to help with the coaching of one "premier team", and two high school first IV teams.

I may need to take an entire page to write about rugby, not only because that's what I have been doing for most of my life, but it provides an enormous opportunity if you are passionate about young people in Tonga. Gosh, do they love their rugby in Tonga?

Check TALANOA, for an interview with one of the local coaches. I think it is a very interesting one.

I shall leave it there for now. I will try and put down a few more lines before I forget things. Malo for now.

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  • July 11, 2007, 10:37 pm - Ti

    Hi Kalo
    Just picked up your comment, and thank you for a very important piece of information.
    Can I ask if this is already on-going - ie, is the government (MOE) doing the work you're talking about as the present time? Or it is still on its way in the near future?
    Another important question is - with our effort to build a new classroom, and something to generate income for the Kindy, what role the govt plays. Would they just endorse our effort or they want to take over and build it themselves? Or what would it be?

  • July 8, 2007, 11:38 pm - Kalo Moeaki

    Thnx for this update Ti..just one question...have you guys finalised the piece of land for Uiha Kindy?
    It's just becos we currently have an ECE project in progress and it is our intension to put pre schools together with normal primary schools (if possible and if necessary). The Ministry does not want to take over ECE yet, but would some how in the future like to mainstream ECE into the Education System. Can you pls come back to me on this, and plus have you guys registered you Kindy? cos I know that MOE is in the process of formally registrating all Kindy in Tonga