The Kingdom of Tonga - Tongatapu

Elder Jacobsen and I visited Havelu Middle School just after our arrival in Tongatapu (the name of the most populated island in Tonga, which is made up of 176 islands) . We met the principal, Lavenia, and admired this bulletin board in the conference room made of Tongan Tapa cloth. Tapa cloth is made of the bark ot the Mulberry tree. It is painstakingly pounded and stretched by hand over  many days and is then painted with designs.



The Szoka's are one of four ITEP Missionary Couples assigned to the church schools in Tonga. They live and work on the campus of Liahona High School providing BYU Hawaii classs to the teachers and other professional development. They were wonderful hosts to us and transported us all around the island. Another missionary couple (the Johnsons) will be arriving in November and will be assigned to work with the five middle schools in Tonga (three on the island of Tongatapu, one on the island of Ha'apai, and one on island of Eua).

 

This tree sits in the middle of the courtyard between the two classroom wings of the school.



We visited several classrooms while we toured Pakelau and Havelu Middle Schools. Looks like some learning is going on here. :)  These students are learning in their second language and teachers do a great job helping students find success.



The LDS Temple in Tonga is located right by the campus of Liahona High School. We ran into these missionaries who are wearing the traditional Tongan tupenu (lava lava) with the ta'ovala (woven mat) tied with the kafa (rope).
Elder Jacobsen and I were able to attend a 6 a.m. session in the Temple the second day we were in Tonga. It was in Tongan but we wore headphones and listened in English. There was a very special spirit there.  



 

We met with the three counselors and the the principal, Inoke Kupu (second from left), after arrving at Liahona High School. The counselors are: Vika, Vatuniloka, and Sila.

This is the entrance to the Liahona High School campus. It is the largest of the 15 church schools in the South Pacific. There is a middle school and a high school located here with 1,100 students in the high school and 500 in the middle school.

Elder and Sister Szoka in front of the ITEP office on the campus of Liahona High School



The counselors welcomed us with handmade Tongan rope leis. We were touched by the generosity and kindness of the Tongan people. They are always concerned that a visitor feels welcomed. And WE DID!



More gifts! Liahona High School counselors Sila Fonua and Vika Kaufusi. The registrar is on the far right.



Students always meet you with a smile as you pass them in the walkways. Liahona is a large campus and they could have some distance to cover as they walk to their next class.

 

Hard at work getting ready for end of year exams.

These cute students are in Form 1 (grade 7) and many are just learning English. In this homeroom class the teacher presents the career guidance curriculum and the students work on their personal portfolios. Because there is only one counselor for five middle schools the teachers have to be very involved in making the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance program work in the middle school. Moana Kupu is the counselor and does a super job in getting the curriculum organized and training the teachers. She also follows up with the teachers after they meet with students in their SSEOP (Student Spiritual, Education, and Occupational Plan) and checks all of the portfolios.

Principal Harvelene Sekona at Liahona Middle School with counselor Moana Kupu



This teacher is conducting an SSEOP interview with a student as they review the student's portfolio. 

Elder and Sister Szoka took us to see the "blowholes" on Tongatapu. As waves come into the shore they are forced up through holes in the coral rock. You can watch the water shooting up as it hits the shoreline all down the coast as far as you can see. It was spectacular! These pictures don't do it justice.



Love and Prayers 'Til Our Next Post!

Coming next....The Kingdom of Tonga - Vava'u