For The Poorest

Situated along the coast, looking out through coconut palms and over sandy beaches to the clear blue ocean, the community of 46 families has grown on what would be prime land anywhere else. But this is Patangata, this is the rubbish tip and this is their home.

The rubbish tip is now closed, but at this stage nothing has been done to plough it over, or clean up the area in any way, (there are plans to do so). In the past sorting and 'recycling' this rubbish has been the source of income for most of the local families. Not surprisingly this lifestyle, along with the shanty style housing, lack of sanitation and clean water, brings with it many illnesses.

The Salvation Army has worked among these people for about 4 years now. These days a mobile clinic (a purpose designed bus) visits the community once a fortnight offering medical assessment and basic treatment.

Along with the clinic a community worker offers health, hygiene, dental, mothering and lifestyle workshops at the local schools and in these communities. During my visit I had the privilege of attending the village community discussion facilitated by the Army. Amongst the people that attended was a 75 year old woman that told us that she hadn’t realised that she could attend the clinic, but now she knew, she would be attending to have her blood pressure tested. It was encouraging to hear the people thanking the Army for the clinic, offering their feedback and suggestions for improvements and suggesting topics for further workshops.

Some of the dreams for the future include a Sewing Café where women could bring their cloth and, for a small cost, sew items either for their own families or for sale to raise some income. Other plans are to expand the school health programs, and the playgroup, kindergarten programming.

The Army is establishing some good programs for the people of Tonga – like many other places the limitations are due mainly to a lack of resources.

Sacred Hands

Spread over 400 miles of the South Pacific and consisting of 176 islands, (a few only visible at low tide) the Kingdom of Tonga is the only remaining Polynesian monarchy in the Pacific. Only 36 of the islands are inhabited and the main, and biggest, island Tongatapu is the seat of power with the Royal residences, Parliament and The Salvation Army located in the Capital Nuku’Alofa. (It’s about 134km around the island and there are 45,000 people on Tongatapu.)

As you fly into Tongatapu you notice that the island is completely flat with coconut trees and other tropical vegetation. It hasn’t rained for three weeks so it is dry and dusty and the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables is short.

Tonga is a Christian Kingdom which is reflected in a conservative, reserved and generous people. (On Sunday’s it is illegal to play and work, and there are no sports on TV).

As I drove into Nuku’Alofa I passed schools with male students wearing the traditional tupenu (sarong) and ta’ovala (mat), a common practice for all levels of society and for both men and women. A symbol of respect the ta’ovala is indicative of the attitude of a people for whom family and face are both the foundations and reason for life.

Nuku’Alofa has not begun rebuilding after the riots of November 2006. Some of the damaged and burnt out buildings still stand empty and desolate, (including what was the new site of The Salvation Army’s Headquarters). Other buildings have been demolished and only concrete slabs remain. Many businesses have moved out of town, others have gone out of business.

In the middle of Nuku’Alofa are the royal graves, with the newest grave being that of the late King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV. Yesterday the people called “the sacred hands” were beginning to dismantle the decorations that surround the new grave. These are a group of people from a specific village on the east of the island who have for hundreds of years been the custodians of Royal funerals. They are the only people allowed to tend to a Royal body and grave. Dressed in black and wearing the ta’ovala as a sign of respect they go about their work with reverence.

It’s Tonga Next

At the end of this month I have the opportunity to visit the Pacific Island Kingdom of Tonga. It’s only a three day visit, but an opportunity for me to see the work of The Salvation Army first hand.

The Salvation Army in Tonga, administered by New Zealand, currently has five worship centres, Court and Prison work, an Addiction Program, two Kindergartens and a mobile health clinic.

Among other work that The Army has done in the Kingdom, we have assisted in the provision of clean water for a local community. The projects that are currently on the books include building a worship complex and officer’s residence, kindergarten redevelopment and equipment purchases to aid in the delivery of ministry to the community.

So, when I get back I’ll put up a bit of a show and tell for any that are interested.