Peace Corps Picture Album from Tonga by Sandeep Koorse
Peace Corps Picture Album
This section is dedicated to pictures taken during my Peace Corps Service from 2/17/2002 to 4/12/2004. If you got here through the regular photo section of my website, click here to return to it.
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Second Year of Service (5/29/2003 - 4/12/2004)
Month | 13 | 14| 15| 16| 17| 18| 19| 20| 21| 22 | 23| 24|
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Thirteenth Month of Service (May 2003)
* Beach Trips (uploaded 7/13) - Visited the islands to enjoy my last few days before heading home for a vacation. I went with Kirsty Anderson who was returning to Australia early because of job dissatisfaction and Carissa Johnson who was returning to America early due to medical issues. Taken from 5/31/2003 to 6/7/2003
* Kirsty's Farewell (uploaded 7/13) - Pictures from Kirsty's farewell dinner. Kirsty was a volunteer from Melbourne in Australia who was my neighbor and close friend. Taken on 6/11/2003
Month | 13 | 14| 15| 16| 17| 18| 19| 20| 21| 22 | 23| 24|
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First Year of Service (4/19/2002 - 5/28/2003)
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Twelvth Month of Service (May 2003)
* Avoca (uploaded 7/13) - Our volunteer coordinator John left me the greatest gift in the world when he left Tonga after three years of dedicated service - his beautiful cat Avoca! She really made life so much more fun with her playfullness and incredible mouse catching abilities. Taken from 5/8/2003 to 6/19/2003
* Fakamay 2003 (uploaded 7/13) - Pictures of an important day at church where the children recite hymns and everyone dresses up. I did this last year as well, but this time I was in a bigger church with the princess of Tonga. Taken on 5/3/2003
* March to Paliament 2003 (uploaded 7/13) - Pictures of a national holiday in which all the schools march to the palace and watch the opening of parliament. I did this last year as well. Taken on 5/28/2003
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Eleventh Month of Service (April 2003)
* CAT Training (uploaded 7/13) - The CAT courses I took in March to April involved over 70 hours of coursework in addition to teaching class in the mornings. IT was intense. However it was also enjoyable as I got to know my fellow teachers. I also got certification to teach in New Zealand which may come in handy later. Taken from 3/20/2003 to 4/2/2003
* Mid-Service Conference and the All-Volunteer Conference (uploaded 7/13) - This conference allowed all the volunteers from my group to get together and discuss our experiences after a year of being in-country. We were joined by the rest of the volunteers for our All-Volunteer Conference where we elected representative for policies and for grants. Taken from 4/20/2003 to 4/22/2003
* Tate's Farewell (uploaded 7/13) - Tate Goodman was my co-worker for my first year of service and a great friend. We played computer games together where I would always frag/beat the tar out of him, and he taught me a lot about computers and life. These are pictures of the events that occured during his departure after three years of service at Tupou High School through the US Peace Corps. First, they had a big celebration and speeches for him, and then the principal's family took him to the airport. I moved into his house after he left and took care of his dog Cholo. Taken from 3/27/2003 to 4/16/2003
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Tenth Month of Service (March 2003)
* Beaten (uploaded 7/13) - These are pictures taken after I returned from the hospital on the 15th of March. I had gone dancing with my friends at a local club and had escorted a friend home. On the way back to my place (around 2 AM), a guy approached inquiring about his girlfriend. I said I hadn't seen her and as I turned around, he called out to me. When I turned back, he quickly hit my neck, and proceeded to pound on me until I realized I was being attacked and hit back. After taking my keys and wallet he ran, and I was left wandering until I was finally taken by Tate (my co-worker) to the hospital for treatment. Taken on 3/16/2003
* Moving Around (uploaded 7/13) - During this month, I had to move from place to place on the school campus. I was temporarily living in a huge guest house until new guests arrived and I moved in with Mark and Erin (two new married Peace Corps volunteers) next door. Taken from 3/16/2003 to 3/20/2003
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Ninth Month of Service (February 2003)
* My 2003 Students (uploaded 7/13) - Pictures of the students in my new classes. I began teaching 3 classes back to back to this group of fantastic students. These "kids" were my new reason for loving my job! Taken from 2/16/2003 to 2/18/2003
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Eighth Month of Service (January 2003)
* Dreadlock Experiment (uploaded 7/13) - For months my hair grew longer than its ever been in order to prepare me for a new and exciting personal hair revolution. My friend Anna in the town of Lapaha dreadlocked my hair in a long and grueling process. Taken on 1/4/2003
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Seventh Month of Service (December 2002)
* Christmas in NTT (uploaded 7/13) - I go visit my friend Mark Dickinson in the distant outer island of Niuatoputapu. Anita from Vava'u joins us for an awesome time. Taken from 12/19/2002 to 1/1/2003
* Group 64 Swear In Ceremony (uploaded 7/13) - Group 64 swears in to service and I am lucky enough to have two of the best possible new neighbors/teachers I could ever hope for! Taken from 12/11/2002 to 12/12/2002
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Sixth Month of Service (November 2002)
* Lab Activities (uploaded 7/13) - Various activities and events occuring at the Tupou High School computer lab or my community. Taken from 11/8/2002 to 11/11/2002
* KOOL Kamp (uploaded 7/13) - Pictures from the Komipiuta 'Oku 'Ofa Lahi (Computers love us very much) Kamp that I ran to get children all over Tonga excited about computers by playing with games and pictures. Taken from 11/6/2002 to 11/7/2002
* Halloween Party and the Children's Fair (uploaded 11/4) - Pictures from the big Peace Corps Halloween Party at Kevin's House along with pictures from the Children's Fair on the next day. Taken from 11/1/2002 to 11/2/2002
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Second Year | First Year | Pre-Service | Back to Top |
Fifth Month of Service (October 2002)
* Birthday Weekend (uploaded 10/31) - Pictures from my birthday weekend. We had a small get-together on Friday and then hung out on the island of Fafa on Sunday. One of my Australian neighbors (a member of my palangi family... my "twin" sister Rebecca Thiem) shared the same birthday so we celebrated it together with our friends. Taken by Ruth Watt from 10/11/2002 to 10/13/2002
* Dog (uploaded 11/4) - Pictures of the dog we adopted at Vaololoa. He showed up out of nowhere, but he hung around us faithfully. He's a whiner but he's getting better! These pictures where taken shortly after I got him a dog collar. We used to call him Dog, but now we've renamed him to Simon. Taken on 10/24/2002
* Presentations (uploaded 11/4) - Pictures from presentations in my AC 250 class. They all did a fantastic job and are incredible presenters! Taken on 10/24/2002
* Good Samaritan (uploaded 11/4) - Pictures from a great visit to the Good Samaritan Inn in Nuka'alofa. Taken on 10/25/2002
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Second Year | First Year | Pre-Service | Back to Top |
Fourth Month of Service (September 2002)
* In-Service Training (uploaded 10/31) - Pictures from the weeklong In-Service Training Peace Corps Event for Group 62. A reunion in Vava'u with the whole gang from training. Taken from 8/23/2002 to 8/29/2002
* Jane's Birthday (uploaded 10/31) - Pictures from a potluck dinner of my Australian friend Jane who was celebrating her birthday. Taken by Ruth Watt on 9/5/2002
* Mike's Visit (uploaded 11/4) - These are pictures from Mike's visit to Tonga on behalf of Whitiriea in New Zealand. We do most of our education programs through Whiiriea University and Mike's visit ensured that we were on the same page with them. Taken on 9/20/2002
* Teaching in 'Eua (uploaded 11/4) - Pictures from my visit to 'Eua to teach classes at the Free Wesleyan Church office. Taken from 10/3/2002 to 10/5/2002
* Pangai Motu Trips (uploaded 11/4) - Pictures from various trips to Pangai Motu during the month as it became a Sunday tradition. Taken from 9/19/2002 to 9/28/2002
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Third Month of Service (August 2002)
* Community (uploaded 10/31) - These are pictures of community activities during the month of July and August. There are more in the Fieva at Vaoloa section. Taken from 7/6/2002 to 8/8/2002
* New Students (uploaded 7/22) - These are pictures of my new students in the CC150 class and the AC250 class at Tupou High School during the second semester of 2002. Taken on 7/15/2002
* Miss Galaxy (uploaded 7/22) - Pictures of the Miss Galaxy competition, an annual Tongan tradition which is a fakalati (men raised to do traditionally female activities) beauty contest. It also includes pictures of my visit to the village of Lapaha. Taken on 7/11/2002
* Night at Secret Cove (uploaded 10/31) - Pictures from a night time visit to secret cove with my friends. Taken on 8/4/2002
* Fieva at Vaololoa (uploaded 10/31) - Pictures of a dance I performed with the children of my village to honor visiting missionaries. Taken by Ruth Watt on 8/15/2002
* Return to 'Eua (uploaded 10/31) - These are pictures from my long-delayed return to 'Eua where I had my homestay training. I revisited my wonderful Tongan family and repaired a broken computer. Taken from 8/17/2002 to 8/18/2002
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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Second Month of Service (July 2002)
* Community (uploaded 7/12) - These are pictures of community activities during the month of June and July including trips to Secret Cove and the ozzie boys who stayed at Rebecca's house while she was in Australia. Taken from 6/17/2002 to 7/8/2002
* Tupou High Celebration (uploaded 7/12) - Pictures of the festivities during the opening of a building at Tupou High in Valoa Loa. This was the beginning of a two week Wesleyan conference in which a lot of feasting occured (too much feasting in my opinion). Taken on 6/15/2002
* Hardware Conference (uploaded 7/12) - A lot of volunteers from my group returned to our island to take a hardware troubleshooting class that I was co-teaching. Taken from 6/28/2002 to 7/6/2002
* July 4th (uploaded 7/12) - Pictures from the Tongan July 4th parade and pics from a party at our Peace Corps country director's house to celebrate American Independence Day and the king's birthday. Taken on 7/4/2002
* Trip to Pangai Motu (uploaded 7/12) - A number of volunteers decided to partake in the "church" of Pangai Motu while the people from outer islands were around for their conferences. Taken on 7/7/2002
* Arrival of the New Volunteers (uploaded 7/12) - The current volunteers wait on the arrival of Group 63 to Tonga. Taken on 7/8/2002
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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First "Month" of Service (May to June 2002)
* Binky (uploaded 6/10) - My first pet and best friend for six weeks in the beginning of my service. I got him from Sela's Guest House and he kept me company during my bronchitis spell/depression. I raised him for six weeks and he brought me joy until he was killed by a dog on 5/29/2002. May he rest in peace
* Community (uploaded 6/10) - These are pictures of my new community and family at Vaololoa (the palangi trailer park)
* Work (uploaded 6/10) - Pictures of my first class at Tupou High School and of my coworkers and friends at work
* Fakamay (uploaded 6/10) - Pictures of an important day at church where the children recite hymns and everyone dresses up. Taken on 3/5/2002
* Farewell to Christy (uploaded 6/10) - Christy Clement's Early Termination Party. Taken on 5/10/2002
* Opening of Parliament (uploaded 6/10) - Pictures of a national holiday in which all the schools march to the palace and watch the opening of parliament. Taken on 5/30/2002
* Language Weekend (uploaded 6/10) - As a reward for attending language classes, Tongatapu volunteers were treated to a fun-filled educational weekend at a local resort. Taken from 6/7/2002 to 6/9/2002
Month | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Second Year | First Year | Pre-Service | Back to Top |
Pre-Service Training (2/10/2002 - 4/18/2002)
| Getting to Tonga | Beginning of Training |
| Homestay | Bridge to Service | Back to Top |
Getting to Tonga
* Predeparture pictures of my family (uploaded 2/15) - Pictures of my family right before I joined the Peace Corps. We went to a great restaurant to celebrate! Taken on 2/10/2002
* Departure pictures from Staging (uploaded 2/15) - These are pictures of the Peace Corps Tonga trainees in Seattle preparing to go to Honalulu. Taken on 2/13/2002
* Pearl Harbor pictures (uploaded 2/15) - Pictures from the trip to the Pearl Harbor Memorial that occurred during out unexpected stay in Honalulu. Taken on 2/14/2002
* Hiking Trip pictures (uploaded 2/15) - Pictures from the trip to the Diamond Head State Monument that occurred during out unexpected stay in Honalulu. Taken on 2/14/2002
* Sky Tower pictures (uploaded 10/31) - Pictures from the trip to the Sky Tower during our 7 hour layover in Auckland, New Zealand. Taken on 2/15/2002
| Getting to Tonga | Beginning of Training |
| Homestay | Bridge to Service | Back to Top |
Beginning of Training
* Pre-Service Training Week 1 (uploaded 2/21) - Pictures from our arrival in Tonga through the first week of Pre-Service training. Includes pictures taken from the trip to the Cultural center. Taken from 2/15/2002 - 2/21/2002
* Last Portion of Pre-Service Training (uploaded 4/7) - Pictures from the end of our training before homestay begins. Some pictures are from a group tour that was taken during the last days in Tongatapu. Taken from 2/22/2002 to 2/24/2002
* Boat ride to 'Eua (uploaded 4/7) - Pictures taken on the delayed boat ride from Tongatapu (the main island of Tonga) to 'Eua (the location of our homestay phase of training which lasted for six weeks). Taken on 2/25/2002
| Getting to Tonga | Beginning of Training |
| Homestay | Bridge to Service | Back to Top |
Homestay Phase of Training
* Homestay family (uploaded 4/7) - Pictures of my homestay family and their activities. There are a few pictures from Community day which was a big gathering for our village that our small volunteer sub-group organized. Taken from 2/25/2002 to 4/5/2002
* Special Events (uploaded 4/7) - Pictures of hiking trips and other special events that occurred during homestay. They include a friend's first taulunga (special Tongan dance), and hiking trips to various scenic 'Eua locales. Taken from 2/25/2002 to 4/5/2002
* Peace Corps Center days (uploaded 4/7) - Pictures from various group Peace Corps training events such as language classes (4 hours a day), vegetable garden training sessions, the centre week that occurred from 3/4/2002 to 3/8/2002, and trips to town. Taken from 2/25/2002 to 4/5/2002
* Aho Faka-Tonga (uploaded 4/7) - Pictures from the huge one day extravaganza in which Peace Corps trainees showed off the skills that they learned during homestay. This special day was composed of great food, excellent dances, and humorous skits. Taken on 4/4/2002
| Getting to Tonga | Beginning of Training |
| Homestay | Bridge to Service | Back to Top |
Bridge to Service
* Return to Tongatapu (uploaded 4/7) - Pictures of the trainees boat ride to Tongatapu for the last week of pre-service training. Taken on 4/5/2002
* Bridge to Service (uploaded 4/25) - Pictures of the trainees during the last week before heading to our assignment. Includes pictures of our day at the Good Samaritan Inn, swearing in ceremony, and heading to our sites. Does not include pictures of the crazy party on 4/10/2002. Taken from 4/8/2002 to 4/18/2002
| Getting to Tonga | Beginning of Training |
| Homestay | Bridge to Service | Back to Top |
| Second Year | First Year | Pre-Service |
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