Kala’s Story

(Written as part of my final report (‘my success story’) to the VSA)

May I tell you my story about Kala?

Kala is four years old and has autism. On my first visit to Kala, her parents and her sister’s house, Kala took no notice of our team, nor of anyone else. She was picking up objects and throwing them through the room, she made loud noises (she had no language yet), ran away from any adult coming near her, her father desperately trying to ‘tame’ her by grabbing her by the arm, constantly muttering, ‘sorry, sorry! No! Kala! No! Sorry, sorry!” The mother sat on a chair, clearly embarrassed and close to tears. I sat myself down on the mat, my bag of blocks and some picture cards next to me, and listened to the parents as they told me about Kala and how difficult life was with ‘a child like her’.

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Photos

One of my little clients – she started off quite sick, but is now thriving

Looking at our last post, I realise there is nothing much new to report that all of you don’t already know! But we have promised to publish some more photos for now of our time in Tonga. Coming up below!

Back in New Zealand

Rolf and I are doing well in our isolation ‘bubble’ so far. The VSA has offered all the volunteers to continue supporting and working remotely for our partner organisations in Tonga until the end of May. So, that’s what we are doing, as far as it is possible remotely. It’s good to stay in touch and keep our communication and connections active, and our current projects going.

One day, we will go back to Tonga… Thank you again for all your support, encouragement and love you have shared with us on our exciting journey over the past nine months. Stay well, stay safe, stay positive. God bless you.

(Some of the photos below are set as a slide show – click on the arrows on the right to see the next picture)

  • Michelle’s visit: She loved the frangipanni
  • Tonga Toast – my favourite breakfast
  • Melissa’s visit: Middle of the road on a Sunday in Tonga
  • Blowholes – with Melissa
  • Vava’u Islands from the air
Serious business
  • Tongatapu East
  • Vava’u Harbour
  • Local shop
  • Spot with a view
  • The ‘road’ to one of my clients
  • Visit to a client’s house
  • Farewell with some of my colleagues
  • Our company van

Home, sweet Home?

“Time in the South Sea Islands – different from time elsewhere. There are no seasons to mark the progress of the year. There is no winter to prepare for, no spring to long for. There are always crops to harvest, fish to catch, and hibiscus blossoms to put in one’s hair. Every day begins at sunrise; every night at sunset. Life loiters through undistinguishable uniformity. There is no yesterday to regret; no tomorrow to worry about.”

VSA Team Tonga ready to depart in Nuku’alofa at three days’ notice

Our hearts reverberate with these words as we fondly and thankfully think of our amazing time we had on the island of Tonga. – Tonga has now closed the borders to all incoming traffic, air and sea, and we hope and pray they will remain free of the Covid-19 virus.

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Negative! That’s Positive!

Just a quick one to say that the test result of the suspected COVID-19 came back NEGATIVE! – We are very glad and were able to go back to business as normal today.

Back to business as usual (consent obtained)

We just want to clarify that we are less worried about getting infected with the virus (though we certainly try to avoid it), than about the big disruption it would mean to our assignments if we were to be repatriated, followed by the uncertainty of time of return. By now, both Rolf and I feel we are starting to make a real difference in many people’s lives and are able to reach into new territory. – So, we just hope and pray. It’s out of our own control, but for now, we soldier on!

Thank you for your continued support and interest!

Pisinisi ‘i he Ofisi

A local furniture factory

What do a furniture factory, a construction company, handicraft manufacturers, a bakery, a kava exporter, a few restaurants and resorts, a coconut-oil-based cosmetics manufacturer, a new retail shop, a whale-watch operator, and a pearl jewellery centre have in common? You have guessed correctly: These are all businesses which are part of my growing mentoring portfolio.

Some of you have asked me for an update on my business mentoring job. Thank you for your interest. Here it is:

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Sharing an Article

This is an excerpt from an article we read in a local magazine. May it inspire you!

“When we lead with our heart, the world looks different. Judgment decreases and compassion increases. We see others the way we wish to be seen. It becomes important to live with passion and purpose and vision. Where there is no vision, people perish. When we know our heart’s desire and lead with our heart, we begin to understand our purpose and passion. If we do what we love, we will never ‘work’ another day in our lives.Martin Luther King did not say “I have a plan.” He said, “I have a dream.” By following our dreams with passion and purpose, we can make a difference in the world; as individuals or as groups. – It has been said that our 60s and 70s are often the most powerful and productive years of our lives. All the years leading up to those years are an opportunity to remember who we are, how we can be of service and refine our purpose and passion. We are becoming better, not older, if we age consciously. We can live the dream.”

(from Real Tonga Airline Magazine)