Faka’ofa

Success with the fundraising last weekend has got me feeling pretty good.
$200 for our Koniseti
$183 for our Kalapu.
And it doesn’t stop there. My youth voted to keep the ball rolling so my weekends are looking a little busier. Everything seems to be on the upswing.

My major project in my village has been to rebuild our Town Hall and include a computer center in the process. This has been a huge sore in my side, but with the start of fundraising it may actually happen before my 2 years are finished. This week I submitted a grant to attempt to get my village a few nice computers and a printer. My fingers were crossed when I emailed the proposal and faxed the invoices. Now I wait.

On a personal note, my vegetable garden is pretty sad. I found little bugs infecting my seeds that have refused to sprout. I just want to grow some squash, how hard is that? Where is my brother with his green thumb anyway? Well - I’m not giving up. I’m starting round two with vengeance.

When my neighbors left town for a month, they moved all their baby pigs to another house for care. The mother pig was left to fend for herself. I have come to take pity on this pig, therefore naming her Faka’ofa (sad, pitiful). I have been giving it scraps of food which has led to a decent rapport between us. The other day I came home with a bag of good smelling food. As I was stepping into my house, Faka’ofa jumps my fence to come get her portion. I was under the impression that my fence was pig proof so I became a little short tempered with the beast. I got my broom and chased her around my yard until she figured her best option was to exit quickly by jumping over the fence again. My other neighbors were highly amused by the whole situation.
This morning - Faka’ofa stood outside the fence and grunted until I gave her a scrap of food. Pigs can be trained quickly or maybe it’s humans- I don’t know which.

Love,
Adrianne

Uike mamalie

Uike mamalie means slow week.
Not much has gone on, but it's about to pick up speed.

This is a big weekend for my fundraising efforts in Okoa. Due to past cancellations, all the events are scheduled this weekend. Tonight (Friday) is the fundraising concert, which I’m hoping will be a blast. The whole village is suppose to turn up because we are working towards repairing the Village Town Hall. I have my fingers crossed for no last minute cancellations. On Saturday we are having a Kalapu, men contribute money for a night of drinking kava. My youth are also going to be preparing large baskets of food for the men to buy. I somehow was elected the cake baker, but I’m happy to do my part. At least I don’t have to serve the kava, which I hate. I’m hoping this all goes over smoothly.
I’m just happy my youth are working so hard.

I went on an adventure trip to the hospital the other day to visit my homestay Aunt, Mele, who has some heart problems. I’m so glad we have a Peace Corps Medical Officer to turn to in times of sickness. That hospital is a little scary. I hope I never have an emergency and need to be taken there. I’ve noticed that my cuts and scrapes don’t heal as well here as they did back home. I’m going to have a lot more scars when I return home. They will just add to the memories.

I’m planning a trip to Samoa next month because it is time for some mental relaxation. Besides that nothing much is new.

‘Ofa atu,
Adrianne

Ikai - NO

The rumor that the King had died is false.
I was on pins and needles for a little while thinking that all the gossip was true. Not only would it be devastating for the country because the Crown Prince is known as a less than desirable leader, but also for my work. When the King does pass away the country will officially mourn for a year. This means that everyone will wear black, music will stop (except church songs), dancing will cease, and many events will be cancelled. I don’t believe this will really last a year in this day and age, but I know that all my youth activities will be affected in some ways. Announcements were made on the radio clearing the rumors, because on an island this size word of mouth travels fast.

I felt my first earthquake the other day (5.7).
The ground shook and I grabbed onto the doorway that I happened to be standing in. It was a small one only lasting 5 seconds or so, but it made me think. I’m on a little island in the middle of the South Pacific. Am I safe? Then I realized that natural disasters can hit anywhere, just in different forms. So I think again - I’m on a small island in the South Pacific; this is exactly where I want to be.

I’m having difficulty with the word NO (Ikai). Not that I don’t know what it means, but I don’t understand why people here have trouble saying it. Instead of my youth organizing a Koniseti (fund raising concert) and canceling it at the last minute, my Town Officer could have said NO. He could have said it was a bad week and that next week would be better. Instead he told us that it was fine and then literally minutes before it was to begin, he said “Rest tonight.” My youth took it in stride, while I vented in private. This type of thing happens frequently here. I found a girl hiding in the back of a car instead of saying that she didn’t want the youth group to use her stereo for an event. I find all this odd, but I’m not quite sure how to handle it all. Any ideas?

That’s the news for now.
Love you,
Adrianne

Lata pe

Lata pe
Feeling at home

I began having a conversation with my 70+ year old neighbor, Lupe, about traveling the world. The conversation then shifted to my home in Cincinnati. I showed her a book of pictures that illustrated all the sights in Cincinnati so she could get a better understanding of what I was talking about. She expressed delight in the simplest of things: the huge trees; the lights on all the buildings; the water pouring out of a fountain; and the inside of a church. She told me that it was all so beautiful, but she was lata pe in Tonga. She likes growing her own food, taking naps in the day, weaving mats and going to church. She doesn’t want all the hustle and bustle that seem to fill up the days back in the States. She is happy living a simple life in Tonga.
I admire her. I admire that she recognizes what makes her happy. I’m thankful there is variety in the world. I’m thankful I have had the opportunity to witness a different side of “life.” Given that I’ve grown up in a city with many outlets for activities, I don’t know if I could live out the rest of my life here. I will at least take away the skill of being able to totally and completely relax.

Lately I have been feeling lata pe here in Tonga. A huge shift has occurred in my language ability. Every night I share a synopsis of my day in Tongan to my neighbor. I’m not only able to give the basic errands of the day, but actual feelings and some complex thoughts. I know that I still have so far to go, but I feel that my path is somehow easier.

I think my body has totally adjusted to the warm climate. Now that the temperature is dropping a little, I’m wearing sweatshirts and socks like it’s 32 degrees. Now understand that I’m not complaining because I know that I have no right to do such a thing. I’m enjoying snuggling under a blanket and boiling water for a nice shower. I just keep thinking that Christmas is going to be a bear.

The pace of things has actually picked up around here. Shocking – I know.
• A new youth President has been elected and I couldn’t be happier. Ideas have been sparking so I’m trying to run with the motivation while we’ve got it.
• A putu (funeral) in a neighboring village (with many relatives in my village) has caused for activities to go on hold for another week. This hasn’t seemed to stub the enthusiasm of my youth group.
• It’s high season for many tests so I’ve been requested to start some night classes with the primary kids. Headaches aside – it’s really a good time.
• I somehow got roped into planning an AIDS day during our islands “Youth Week” activities in July. The initial preparations are in place and I just finished the grant proposal. I was told “on the down low” that I could get some guaranteed funding, so hopefully that will all come together quickly. My grant writing skills have increased dramatically since being here. That’s positive for my resume, but I don’t agree that the Tongan view of a “good” volunteer is weighted on how much funding I can real in. - But that’s a whole other post.

Love as always,
Adrianne

Kakau o’ fakafepaki’i ‘a e ‘au

Swimming against the current:
Kakau o’ fakafepaki’i ‘a e ‘au:

Literally – I went diving this past week and it was amazing. The current was intense but it made the dive even more enjoyable. I swam down this chimney-like rock that brought me to a depth of 26.5 meters (87.5 feet). The fish and the coral were beautiful. I’m lucky to be in such an amazing environment that allows me to experience such exquisite splendor.

Figuratively – Battling with my village about moving forward in a semi productive state has been difficult. I came to a point last week where I felt defeated. I’m satisfied with the disabilities program and helping at the primary school, but my youth group sure lacks energy. I’ve been pushing and pushing while only receiving blank stares (I know my language isn’t that bad).

I think the current is shifting...

I sat down and had a talk with my youth president. I detailed my disappointment (Tongans don’t like any type of confrontation) because I need change to happen. I threatened to leave Okoa and work in another village. The talk and threat seemed to have done the trick – at least for the time being. My youth President is stepping down and we will have new leadership next week. We also have begun the necessary fund raising to get working on rebuilding our town hall. There are many details that still need to be worked out, but I’m now happily swimming along.

Along with the whole water theme was a trip to the beach with my disabilities group. It was nice to have fun in a new environment. We enjoyed lunch and some sporting events with a beach ball. I get so much satisfaction out of that once a week program. I hope our participants feel the same.

Big news!!!!!
My pig fence is officially effective. Previously I had fencing, but it did not fully encircle my home. With the additional wood hurdle to get to the toilet, I now have a pig free residence. Talks of banana trees, papaya trees, and a vegetable garden are in the works.

Happy Birthday Joel!!! You are missed greatly.

Love to you all,
Adrianne