Training

A week ago Abby and I headed to Tonga for our annual Peace Corps In-Service Training. The training was held at the Catholic Theological Institute in Nuku'alofa, which is on the grounds of a large tropical plantation. It is one of the most serene and beautiful places in all of Tonga. We were hosted by a sweet old Tongan Nun named Sister Katy, who was truly the embodiment of compassion and faith in this world. She was also fluent in English, Tongan, German and Italian and had studied at the Vatican while getting her PhD. She is quite the person and her cooking was amazing.

The training itself took on a much different tone from previous trainings, because for the first time PC Tonga utilized current PCVs to lead sessions. Abby was the lead trainer and led several afternoons of training in all types of teaching methods. It was incredible to see her up there leading the sessions. She is truly in her element. After the week, the PC bosses pulled her aside and said her sessions got better feedback than they had ever had in peace Corps Tonga. Abby has really found her calling as a teacher trainer and its inspiring to see her in that role. She is planning on pursuing teacher training as a career after Peace Corps and we both believe it is the right path for her.

Some pictures of Abbs, in her element:

 

The rest of the week was great as well. Nuku'alofa is a developing city so it has restaurants, a couple of bars and much more variety in terms of food and entertainment. While Peace Corps does not serve in the city (PC Tonga series exclusively in poor, rural villages) it was a nice change of pace from village life.

This week Abby is back to school while I work in Vavau's capital of Neiafu on disaster management training. I will be co-facilitating sessions that bring together representatives of the 30 major villages of Vava'u. We are expecting over 120 people and our goal is to establish 4-person Emergency Response Teams in each village who will be in-charge of assessment and response if/when a cyclone or tsunami hits Vava'u. They will also be first aid certified so they can assist those injured. After the devastation of recent Pacific Ocean cyclones in places like Samoa and Ha'apai, its imperative we prepare our 16,000 person island in case of natural disaster. I am incredibly excited to be working on this project and really enjoy working alongside the Vava'u Red Cross.

Of course, its not all work here. So I'll leave you with some pictures of me in my element, a.k.a. The Bilfish Bar in Nuku'alofa, where all Group 77 went to celebrate the end of training. The beers are expensive, but sneaking in Tongan whiskey is free :). Enjoy!

                                     

All of Group 77: