“I am truly grateful for the day fate brought Cate into my life on that long Spanish country road. I can only hope to become like Cate when I can help another new Volunteer remember what it is they want to do with their one wild and precious life.”
“We had an island-wide trash pickup with the primary schools in Vava'u last week, organized by the ministries of environment and education. Some of the younger students had trouble keeping up but they still came along to help out and support each other.” - Peace Corps Tonga
So proud of my Class 6 girls who have worked so hard this year to conquer their Sivi Hu (secondary school entrance exams). You did it! Now mohe fiu. #peacecorps #peacecorpstonga #letgirlslearn
“My advice to new Peace Corps Tonga Volunteers: Don’t be afraid of the water! Tonga has gorgeous coral, humpback whales, dolphins, etc… Swimming with students is key to community integration, and snorkeling on the weekends is always a good time!” – Tonga PCV Chiara
What is your favorite thing about being a PCV in Tonga?
Answer:
Getting to do new things. I don’t get out as much as other PCVs because I tend to be at work a lot but every so often you get to do weird fun things like go to the ‘uta or help make the umu.
The Wall Street Journal came to visit my village to talk with my school’s PTA chair, Amanaki, (*not Armanaki) and other folks about how growing vanilla can help create income in Tonga. So many men have to go overseas–particularly to Australia and New Zealand–for large portions of the year in order to work and send money home, taking them away from their families, homes, and crops. Vanilla offers an opportunity for families here on Vava'u to continue to grow crops that have been here for decades–Amanaki’s vanilla plantation belonged to his grandfather–and turn it into something that can sustain their families.
“I don’t want to teach my children to go overseas. We don’t have to go somewhere else. Opportunity can be found here in Tonga.”
I have been fed by my community every meal this week because they are the kindest, and it started with last Sunday’s beach picnic with these lovely people. All the best people, all the best lu, and all the swimming in the ocean.
Today seems like a pretty good day to eat a jelly roll and learn about English Literacy volunteer positions in Tonga, wouldn’t you say?
INGREDIENTS:
5 cups flour 1 cup sugar 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 ¼ cups margarine (cold) 3 eggs ½-¾ cup milk (cold) 1 jar jam
DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix flour, sugar & powder well. 2. Cut margarine in small cubes (cut long ways then short ways for tiny cubes). 3. Throw margarine cubes into flour, then work it into flour until evenly broken up–much like making a pie crust. 4. Add eggs (mix first in separate bowl) and rub together until even. 5. Add milk & mix until not sticky but balls up. 6. Roll out on floured surface about ¼-1/3" thick. 7. Spread with jam or jelly on entire surface leaving ½ “ space along edges. 8. Roll dough into one large log & fold ends under to keep jelly from oozing out. 9. Transfer to foil lined cookie sheet. 10. Bake at 275 degrees for 45 minutes.
* Add one can of coconut milk and stick of butter to make it more moist.
