Last Few Weeks of School

These past few weeks have been spent getting to know my community (so lots of eva-pe-ing , a.k.a walking around and talking to people), organizing my school library, teaching the students Christmas songs and how to start using their library.

Christmas is in full swing here already, they had the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in town today, and island Christmas music is all over the place. (it's still a little strange to listen to White Christmas when it's hot and sunny everyday...)

 The students finished their testing last week and have been practicing very hard for their end of year faiva or show.

These are the kiddos all dressed up for our dress rehearsal faiva (show) for their parents at the school.

                                                     My class 5 and 6 girls!

                                 Esther a class 6 student (she's pretty awesome and has been a huge help as I get settled in the community and my school)

                Another class 6 student with David (or Vida) Makisi's & Alofaki's (my principal and neighbor) 9 month old baby!

                 Saliema (or Ima), the Class 1 teacher and my language tutor!

                     Soeli with his little brother getting ready for the performance!

                                         The students performing the faiva!

       The students did 2 dances, a sitting dance with all the grades, and classes 3-6 did the Kailau (traditional spear dance).

                                      All dressed up for our practice faiva!

 The library, I've been working to get organized and ready before summer school starts!

        My school is a Free Wesleyan Church School, so our colors are blue and white.

 The school field in the back of the school. This is where all the activities happen, and the community practices soccer and rugby every night! (It's also where I get a beautiful work out in the morning, when I'm feeling up to it...)

  Works in progress:
     -  I just sent in a proposal to the Rotary Club in Nuku'Alofa to see if we can repair our library.
- This tuesday we have our Graduation Day, where students who did well throughout the year are recognized.
-Then it's malolo (rest) time! Until summer school starts on the 2nd of December. I am very excited, I just printed out flyers for the whole community to attend. It will be twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tuesdays class 2 & 3 students will come from 9-11 a.m. and Wednesdays class 3 & 4 students will come from 9-11 a.m. My class 6 students and the Form 1 & 2 (equivalent to grade 6 & 7) will come and be mentors and helpers on both days. I am very excited and hope we get a good turn out!

Nuku Nuku!

I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer!!! 

Group 79 was successfully sworn in on October 31st 2014, and ready to start two years of service in the Kingdom of Tonga! 

After taking the official oath, speeches, and of course dancing, I grabbed a quick bite , met my principal and was off to my site after swearing in. 

I am placed at the Free Wesleyan church school in Nuku Nuku ( which happens to be the same village we trained in for pst).

My school has 150 students, classes 1 through 6, and the secondary school (referred to as a college here in Tonga) is right next door with about 60 students. 

 As English education does not start until class 3 ( still then it is only verbal no written until class 4) I will be teaching classes 3-6 as a part of my primary project. ( However, it sounds like I will be working with classes 1 & 2 as well as formes 6 & 7 during summer school held at the beginning of December)

I live right behind the school , in between my principal and other school teachers and their families.  ( I literally could throw a rock and hit  the school, I'm technically on school grounds)

My house is wonderful, I got really lucky, it's a good size and the sima vai ( my water tank is right outside my door)!

Shelving and my prep table in the kitchen.

Other half of the kitchen (the big white bucket contraption is my water filter, and was the first thing  out and together in my new home)

My desk ( which is more like my vanity/ everything table) 

My lovely shower, I gotta say when there's water it's pretty fantastic!

Bed #1 plus storage! 

Entryway and view to my room.

Inside my room.

I found this cutie out by my sima vai scrounging for some water, brought her in and gave her some water and food. After a couple traumatizing baths, lots of mortien, and picking the fleas off of her, we've basically adopted each other ( the names peanut, and she's about as fiesty as they come...) 

My house from the road.

Front view of the house.

The primary school is on the left and my house is on the right.

My school! (From what I understand Akoteu translates to Free Wesleyan School)

My principals house to the left of me and the huge garden in back!

My first home cooked meal in my new house!

( I have to admit this is really the only meal I've cooked since I got here, my neighbors and community are wonderful and feed me so much food (they're secretly trying to fatten me up and marry me off..)