Kailao // Faihiva

Today was a big day at school.

We traveled to Pangaimotu to celebrate Culture Day with all the other schools in our district.

My little school's task was to learn and demonstrate the kailao (Tongan war dance) which we've been practicing every day since October 2 (the day after the Class 6 finished).

I took way too many pictures so there will definitely be more than one post surrounding this topic.

Here's a recap:

 Each student's family was in charge of sewing a necklace and skirt for their child. Weeks ago each family also provided their student with a hand-carved wooden spear. We painted these red last week.

 The celebration began with a prayer and an opening hymn. Kalo and I stayed in the malumalu (shade) so I wouldn't get sunburnt!

Then it was our turn to take our places and prepare to dance for the Ministry of Education. Before the kids took the field a couple of mothers donated their lipstick so that each student could have a little face paint.

 In order to make sure they were in straight lines all the kids held hands before they walked out onto the field.

 Some students were more excited than others to get to dancing.

Some were a little confused as to where to go, but they eventually figured it out.

 I just soaked up every little detail of the day.

And felt really happy to be there and to watch my students' faces as they enjoyed their time in the spotlight.

Dancing is so much fun, but being able to do it together is really something special.

project 365 // week 6 // #36-42

it was a super eventful week here in the south pacific.

with the arrival of the new peace corps group, the preparation for camp glow/grow AND the lu cook-off, there was much fun to be had! (except for the stomach bug that i contracted on sunday afternoon and didn't recover from until tuesday morning. you really didn't need to see pictures of that so i substituted some others in there instead.)

here's a brief recap:

nov. 13 (#36) spent the afternoon weaving with class 5/6 again. they are so talented when it comes to handicrafts! i'm still learning.

nov. 14 (#37) made some hot chocolate after yoga tonight even though it was about a bajillion degrees out.

nov. 15 (#38) hung out with some peace corps friends in town in between errands for camp glow/grow and meetings.

nov. 16 (#39) the lu cook-off! lu is a very popular thing to eat here in tonga - it usually consists of a meat, onions and coconut milk wrapped up in lu leaves (taro) and then wrapped again in banana leaves or aluminum foil. we made our lu creatively - i chose to incorporate a mushroom soy sauce, chilli peppers, and eggplant. i ended up winning a pretty rad trophy that has been passed down from peace corps volunteers since 2007.

nov. 17 (#40) today i went to catholic church with ane. she then drove me and her super cute family to her house where we ate lu and hung out. i came home and skyped with my parents and then stomach bug #245 hit. instead, here's a picture of joey, harrison and i at a baha'i event a few weeks back. it was taken after a day of cleaning up trash on vava'u.

nov. 18 (#41) slept most of the day away so here's a picture that i did not take on nov. 18th. this picture is actually from saturday - we had a camp glow meeting and parent's meeting (for incoming campers). so much fun to hang out with these girls!

nov. 19 (#42) still feeling groggy but finally on my feet. stomach bugs really kick you in the butt! so here's a picture of little ms. gloria instead. isn't she a sweetie?

Wordless Wednesday

craftin' it Tongan style...

 The last few mornings after I get done teaching English class I have popped on over to the Class 5/6 Classroom where Ane teaches.

 The students here are busy with Creative Technology - which just means that they do lots and lots of crafts using different things found outside. Pandanus leaves, mulberry bark, coconuts and different plants are used to make picture frames, kiekie (grass belts), taovala (grass wraps) and other Tongan handicrafts.

 Even the boys get involved. It's important for them to learn about the different aspects of their culture that are still alive and well here.

 And I'm learning too. (This is a kiekie I am working on with the help of Ane and the students. I've done it all by myself so far!).

 It's so much fun to learn with them. To sit and continue practicing Tongan and enjoying each other's company.

I love that I continue to learn new things about this place every day.

project 365 // week 5 // #29-35

  Project 365 is back and this week was full of fun and wonder.

Check it out...

 Nov. 6 (#29): Tonga beat the Cook Islands in the World Rugby Cup. We cheered them on at school!

 Nov. 7 (#30): Celebrating a donation made to the school with a kailao and ta'olunga (two different types of dances).

 Nov. 8 (#31): Bananas all over the place! This bunch is next to my rain water tank.

Nov. 9 (#32): A Day-sail with the best Camp GLOW/GROW leadership staff!

 Nov. 10 (#33): A quiet Sunday with some reading and writing.

Nov. 11 (#34): A great start to the week. Grateful for another donation made to the school by some friends back home! <3

Nov. 12 (#35): 6 new Peace Corps volunteers arrived on the ferry today! What an exciting time!

Hope your week rocked.

Camp GLOW/GROW: Leadership Orientation

We are officially less than a month out from Camp GLOW and Camp GROW.

Canyoubelieveit?! I know. Me either.

On Saturday, November 9th, 2013, the staff of both camps got together for leadership orientation.

Living in the South Pacific means we're surrounded by heaps of natural beauty and we definitely took advantage of that during our orientation.

We were able to go on a chartered sailing trip out to Port Maurelle (a beautiful turquoise little cove/beach) and hold our orientation there.*

The trip was wonderful.

We had time to bond. Which is great because our staff is full of people of different ages and backgrounds. Through Camp GLOW and GROW we are hoping to empower the younger generation to help each other with healthy decision making, goal setting and women's empowerment. Many of the youth you see in this photo still attend secondary school and after helping lead the camp next month will continue to lead Club GLOWs/GROWs at their school - empowering students through service and education.

I did put on sunscreen. Multiple times. Even if it doesn't look like it. Silly palangi skin.

Back to Saturday...

We had time to talk logistics (roles, duties, sessions, topics of discussion, etc.)

And time to do lots of fun team building activities (my favorite!). 

 And even though the day began with some very shy Tongan youths, it ended with a closer knit group - one who is prepared to provide a safe, exciting, and fun learning environment for our campers next month!

*We are so grateful that a couple from America (who has a sailing charter here in Tonga) heard about Camp GLOW/GROW through fundraising efforts and wanted to take the staff out for our orientation.

Today while I was hanging my laundry on the line, I found this cool bunch of bananas. Thought I'd share.