HM King George Tupou VI

We have seen the King of Tonga – LIVE with our own eyes!

Last week, we saw that the flag is up at the King’s palace, so we assumed he must be in residence. We had that assumption confirmed by a friend, and were told that His and Her Majesty will probably go to church on Sunday.

So last Sunday, in the summer heat,  we made our way to what is known as The King’s Church (Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga), the biggest church building in Tonga. Just when we arrived, two police cars, framing a large, shiny black vehicle, pulled up by the back entrance of the church. I quickly snapped a photo. By the time we entered the church, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u (DON’T ask me how to pronounce it) were already seated on their throne-like seats in the high gallery up to the left. We sat down near the front on the right where we could see them. Unfortunately, but understandably, taking photos was forbidden during the service. So, I just had to look at the royals as often as I could, I was so excited!

The two royals are an unassuming couple. They sat quietly, dressed in local tradition clothes, nothing fancy, nothing glamorous. They seemed like ‘one of us’. They stood for the songs and sat down for the prayers, listening intently to the sermon. Which was in Tongan, of course, so I had reason to stare at them instead of paying attention to the sermon. I like our king. He even reminds me a little bit of my dad, somehow…

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On to work talk: Something else, but entirely different I have wanted to do for a long time, is to ‘get my foot into the door of’ the paediatric ward at the hospital here. My boss and I often visit there, either to see some of our clients that are in hospital for some reason, or to pick up new referrals from the head paediatrician, Doctor G, a wonderfully warm, highly respected, capable and compassionate man. I have noticed how bare and uninspiring the hospital rooms are, and the hospital play specialist in me wants to help!

Recently, my boss spoke to Dr G about our work and my role, and he invited us to come and do a presentation last Tuesday.

I was a little nervous about speaking to all the doctors, nurses and other medical staff (a group of about 25), afraid they might reject my possibly somewhat unconventional message: “The Role of Play in Child Development”, sub-title: “in the context of the hospital environment.” – However, the doctors and others nodded frequently while I presented, and at the end Dr G turned to the staff, asked me to go back to my second slide of the power point, and basically repeated a summary of my presentation to them with urgent intensity! – I realised that Dr G is totally on board with us, which is very exciting.

We agreed that I come and work at the hospital for a day every now and then. Dr G said I was welcome any day, anytime, for as long as I like, and I could do whatever I felt was beneficial to improve environment and practices on the ward. – And could they have a copy of my presentation to share around, and could I create a little video to show the parents at the ante-natal classes? – So, soo exciting!

I’m not going to run out of work here anytime soon.

Note: The last two pictures are published with written consent from the children’s parents.