However, my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the
Kingdom of Tonga these past two years has been exactly that!
It has been full of bugs, sickness, language and cultural
barriers, limited running and drinking water at times, and so many other
uncomfortable situations, but all those things never outweighed the positives
of going to school everyday and working with kids and teachers who were not
only excited to learn, but to share their culture and just love the life they
have been dealt! I have learned so much about my culture and myself as a
person, and will continue to learn as I transition back into life in the
states. However, I would not have learned and gained all I did if it wasn’t for
the loving, supporting, and VERY patient friends and family here in Tonga as
well as back in the states!
As my time here comes to an end I’ve started thinking about
all the moments that will stick with me, as this experience becomes just a
memory. Here a few below…
This was during my pre-service training and about sums up
how everyone was feeling. We were all learning so much information and trying
to fulfill high expectations of learning the language and culture quickly. A
lot of times we were all on a different planes either emotionally or physically
but no matter how silly we looked or ridiculous we sounded we were a group and
finished together! Cue swearing in…
Then we went to site and the fun continued!
Sight Word Books! This was my passion project in country and was all
about creating developmentally and culturally appropriate leveled books that
could help teachers teach their students to read! We were able to work with
local artists to create the artwork, as well as local teachers and community
members who helped write the stories with the support of Peace Corps
volunteers. Overall in my 2 years we created 45 books level AA-E with a
supporting lesson plan for each book! Teaching kids to read woohooo!!!
As always lots and lots meetings....
Sometimes it was easy to forget that I lived in paradise
because I was at least a 20 min ride from the beach and surrounded by bush
land, but I was lucky enough to travel to some of the beautiful outer
islands!!!
Family Visit! It was so wonderful to have my family and
boyfriend visit from the states! My family was able to meet my host family, so
the two worlds were united! It was really great for them to see what life was
like here, and I think helped to put a context to all the stories I had been
telling them!
Swimming with the whales! Probably one of the most amazing
experiences ever!
This cat is sadly one of the hardest things to leave from
Tonga! I raised her from a sad little kitten to now a loving dog-like cat! She
will be leaving hopefully a long happy life with my next-door family!
Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World)! We did it!!!! This is
the girls leadership and empowerment camp that we are working to being
sustainably run in the future by Tongan counterparts! This year and last years
camps were successes so hopefully that continues!
And so many more!
Still a bit in shock that I made it through and two years is
already over, it definitely seemed to fly by after about the first year!
Off to the next adventure for me, and so this ends my 2 year
look into “Teaching me to Tonga”, I hope you have gained a positive and more
educated view of the friendly islands of Tonga! Come visit!
Thanks for listening to my rambles for two years, I hope you
all the best and more!
