Fangota

Where to start?

AIDS Day was an utter success with over 500 youth coming to watch the drama presentations. Six youth groups performed their own creative work pertaining to HIV/AIDS. I just had to sit behind a table and present a slide show on the overhead while throwing candy into the audience. I was quickly corrected not to throw candy because it could poke someone’s eye out - this in a country where children play with knives. The groups put on a wonderful show and I’m relieved that it’s over.

Another part of the week was a bazaar festival, where youth groups were encouraged to participate. My youth decided to prepare traditional Sunday food (umu) and sell it for $20 a basket. Not only was our fundraising successful, but the preparation was an awesome sight to see. It started by some of the youth, me included, going fangota (collecting clams) at the sea. We spent about three hours there and I collected about five to everyone else’s 40. I feel so inferior when it comes to working with nature. I’m used to picking between peeled or unpeeled shrimp at the supermarket. Then the umu process began. The youth dug a pit and started a fire. Everything they used was from nature. The combination of onions and lamb was packaged in leaves from taro plants. Coconut milk was added to give some flavor to the clams and wrapped in more leaves. The root crop and the packaged food were then placed in the pit and covered for a few hours of cooking. The youth worked with such precision that I stayed out of the way and watched. Small baskets were then woven from coconut leaves and the food was placed inside for sale. The process can be long, but the Tongans have it down to a science. I feel so fortunate just as an observer. The bazaar finished up with my youth doing face painting. That part wasn’t a huge money maker, but it sure was fun. I have lots of pictures to prove it.

Aside from all the fundraising, I’m trying to work behind the scenes at getting my Youth Center together. I found out that Parliament was having meetings here in Vava’u, which meant that my Noble was on the island. He took me and my Youth President out to breakfast on Saturday to discuss some ideas. That was then followed up with presenting him a pig and umu the following evening for good graces. He then agreed to come to our youth meeting on Tuesday night, which impressed the village. Many issues came up so he decided a village meeting would be a good idea for Thursday. He is a wonderful guy and has been instrumental in gaining support. We have each other’s cell phone numbers now so I’m hoping we can keep a flow of communication.

My Samoa trip is delayed because the planes aren't running. There is a government strike which has caused a complete mess. I am flying Polynesian Air (which isn't a government airline), but no one is working at the airport. God I love this country. I was told to listen to the radio and they would announce when the next flight leaves. I hope it is soon.

Love you all,
Adrianne

Another Putu

July 4th in the States is celebration of our independence. Here in Tonga, it is celebration for the Kings Birthday. The big party actually happens down in Tongatapu, the capital, but we had our own little celebration here in Vava’u. A few of us volunteers went out to a little resort island, Mala, and had a private party. An enjoyable part of the evening was blaring music of our choice while jumping on a trampoline embedded in a sand pit. The owner is known for being very generous to Peace Corps Volunteers so we stayed in a few rooms complimentary. Right now the King is staying at that same resort. He is having a weekend with 40 of his closest college buddies. I’m sure he’s getting his room complimentary as well.

My HIV/AIDS Grant has received approval with little time to spare. The money will be sent Western Union to me Today (Monday) and all the action takes place on Wednesday. The day will be full of radio spots, drama presentations and information overload all pertaining to AIDS education. It is part of an activity full Youth Week that will be a blast.

Now for the other news that is twisting things up in my little island in the South Pacific. My Town Officer died. I feel like my village has been in perpetual mourning. I put on my black clothes and went to the hospital the other night for a prayer service. I saw the freezer where they keep the bodies and I stood there with both curiosity and bewilderment. The freezer is in a room with a surgery table and the room has a door to outside where all the people sit in the grass. The family covers the table with tapa and mats and then the body is displayed (while still wrapped in white cloth). I was not a huge fan of the Town Officer, but seeing all his children crying definitely puts things in perspective. It was quite a sight to see all the people load on the bus with their mats filling up all the space. The immediate family rides in a pick up truck because they wear the huge mats from head to toe. I’m now comfortable with the funerals here and I enjoy all the tradition (not so much kissing the body). I went to the cemetery for the burial, which was a nice service with tons of people. On the way back to my house I passed a huge truck, where a gentleman handed me a 2 kilo plastic bag of raw meat. This was apparently a hot commodity because everyone was trying to scam bags and bags. I later found out it contained horse, pig, and lamb. Needless to say I gave mine to my neighbor to cook and I ate a little in a Sunday umu.

Happy Birthday Marin!!!!
I wish I was there to witness your growth, but at least I know you’re surrounded by a pack of people who love you.

Love,
Adrianne