Week 8 in Tonga; 27.10-2.11.2014
Monday 27th
of October
I got the call around 10 that the swearing ceremony
for readmission to Tongan Nationality would be at 12 noon. I have waited for
this call for a while and I was so excited. At 11, I cycled to the office of
the Foreign Affairs. When I got there the security guard did not know anything.
While we were talking someone called and gave him our names and informed that
we would come for the ceremony. There were four of us, new comers.
While we waited, we were given instructions
what we should do and what to expect from such a ceremony. We held the bible
and took the Oath of Allegiance to the King… The officer signed the documents,
we took photos and it was over. There was not praying, Really?
After our staff meeting we had to retake the
staff members’ picture for the magazine. There was a real photographer this
time. I distributed my songs to some of the teachers and asked them to write
the lyrics. It was more of less forcing the guys to take part. I hope they didn't mind and would help out with the lyrics for my Tongan Youth Hymn Book project.
Tuesday 28th
October
Last night I did the passport application and
took it to the immigration office today. My neighbour, we were in high school
together Rev. Simione Halaifonua signed the form as guarantor I was real and
was the one who was applying. Naitoko gave me a lift to the immigration office.
I would get my Tongan passport in a week time. Sione and I went to pick up some
food, time for celebration…
After school, we played ping pong. The school internet
did not work and I decided to use the internet café this evening. I updated my
blog which I had tried unsuccessfully to do since Monday. Knowing Tonga’s
situation did not help with the level of frustration you got when the internet
connection did not work.
Wednesday 29th
October
The school magazine’s committee has been
working hard to get the magazines ready for printing. I played my part taking
photos for them. I was stood by with the camera taking photos whenever someone
was sent for a photo. The magazine would be printed in New Zealand and it has
to be back by the 25th of November for the prize given ceremony.
Today was the last day of lower classes’
examination. There was an air cerebration both for the students and the
teachers. No more classes except correction exam papers. I went to play touch
rugby and when I came back I saw the "kai'angakai" was opened. Few of the guys already started. I went home took a shower then joined the guys drinking kava...
Thursday 30th October
All the internal exams were over and teachers
were marking the papers and I was told to take more pictures for the magazine.
At lunch there was food for the teachers. Everyone seemed to be happy. After
lunch, I went home. I was still tired
from last night kava party and I took a nap.
The lost Sandal Wood Trees
Meleane wanted some help with her mathematics.
We discussed some of the examples then she did the exercises. I was not sure
whether I helped at all but it was nice to give her supports with her studies.
At 8:00 pm we had meeting for all the teachers living in the boarding school. Among other things, someone stole 2 of our sandalwood trees from the school garden. On Tuesday night was the first one stolen and last night was the second one. We had few more around the school therefore we, the male teachers were responsible for guarding the trees. Sandalwood is sold at least for $90 kg. No wonder the thieves took the risk…
At 8:00 pm we had meeting for all the teachers living in the boarding school. Among other things, someone stole 2 of our sandalwood trees from the school garden. On Tuesday night was the first one stolen and last night was the second one. We had few more around the school therefore we, the male teachers were responsible for guarding the trees. Sandalwood is sold at least for $90 kg. No wonder the thieves took the risk…
Friday 31th October
I came home around 5:30 in the morning after guarding the
sandalwood. We had kava at "Kai'angakai" and took turns checking walking and checking the garden. I was so tired but had to wake up for the assembly at 7:30. After
the devotion the upper classes were free to do their revision for their
external exams. The lower classes had singing practice in
preparation for the price given ceremony at the end of November.
I tried to sleep but unfortunately one of my neighbours was cutting the grasses therefore I decided to go to Tau’olunga Computer to write the lyrics for the hymns. I wrote one of the two songs and I was impressed with the new software program for writing Tongan notations. It was the first song (Kosketa minua, Henki) to have a Tongan lyric. I was so happy with the result and I stopped at the Friendly Islands Bookshop to give a copy to Sela. Sela wrote the lyrics.
In the evening, I went to the kava party at Kapeta's hall. It was a fund raising of the church youths. There were many peoples even youngsters form Toloa and Tonga High Schools. More and more young people are drinking kava. I wonder how well they do at school. Kava is not something you take if you are serious with your studies or whatever you do.
I tried to sleep but unfortunately one of my neighbours was cutting the grasses therefore I decided to go to Tau’olunga Computer to write the lyrics for the hymns. I wrote one of the two songs and I was impressed with the new software program for writing Tongan notations. It was the first song (Kosketa minua, Henki) to have a Tongan lyric. I was so happy with the result and I stopped at the Friendly Islands Bookshop to give a copy to Sela. Sela wrote the lyrics.
In the evening, I went to the kava party at Kapeta's hall. It was a fund raising of the church youths. There were many peoples even youngsters form Toloa and Tonga High Schools. More and more young people are drinking kava. I wonder how well they do at school. Kava is not something you take if you are serious with your studies or whatever you do.
Saturday 1st November
Fili and I planned to go for a walk in the
morning. Unfortunately, I came so late last night from the kava party and over
slept. I woke up and went to the market to get some mango and faikakai. In the evening, I went
to the internet café. When I finished, I cycled just around the
corner and there were two kava parties. I looked in to the first one and
someone called my name. It was Siola’a, my friend from USP. I did not stay long
though, I left at 1:00 am.
Kava in bottles!
I was surprised to see kava in bottles. There was a funnel and bottles were filled up. You have your own bottle of kava and you drink whenever you feel like. It is also hygienic since you have your own not like the cups which are shared. of course you can also bring your own cup if you want...
I was surprised to see kava in bottles. There was a funnel and bottles were filled up. You have your own bottle of kava and you drink whenever you feel like. It is also hygienic since you have your own not like the cups which are shared. of course you can also bring your own cup if you want...
Sunday 2ndh November
I got my mail and there was a message saying
that Fuapau Ika passed away at the hospital in Vava’u. Fuapau was one of my
friends and I saw him during the TTI graduation, in my first week in Tonga. He was few years younger than me. We were in the brass band
together and I knew him very well. He was the Dux att Mailefihi and he was also a teacher. It was a very sad news…
The students were spending the weekend home
since Monday is a holiday. We did not have a morning service in the school. I
decided to attend the service at the main church since the Theological College students led
the service. The service lasted 2 hours. It started with the normal service
followed with the sacrament.
In the evening there was a “pohiva”, 9 choirs
from different churches and different denominations performing at the main
church. It was the start of the “hospital week” for the whole kingdom with the
theme “we are one/together…”. The choirs have 2 rounds and at the end they all sang
together the Handel’s Hallelujah. There were more than 500 singers and the
Tongans never failed to amaze me with their choir singing. It was so beautiful
and you can feel the presence of God through these voices…
My 8th week in Tonga was over, see you next week!
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