Peace Corps Volunteer Randi in Tonga: Coming up to a year



So it's almost been a year in Tonga and I think it's time for a summation of events, big or small, that have already occured

Peace Corps Volunteer Randi in Tonga: Coming up to a year

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Coming up to a year

So it's almost been a year in Tonga and I think it's time for a summation of events, big or small, that have already occured:

1. I've learned a new language, only not completely fluent and it's always an impending thought to try harder.

2. I've written several grants even being highly opposed to most of them and have acutally been accepted for a few. And I'm in the process of writing more.

3. I have worked with a village youth group and got practially nothing accomplished besides having to move from the village, quite an accomplishment there one might say.

4. I've suffered majorly from pesky body ailments including boils (yes I'm still complaining of them becuase they are still a current problem), food poisoning, styes, and other ailments that ar not really diagnosable.

5. I am a teacher for a church school, a church I am not, but never the less teach at. I am teaching English which wasn't really my favorite subjects and sometimes wonder where my mind was when I was learning this stuff because some of it I just don't remember. But it's fun learning it all over again.

6. I'm developing a restorative justice system for the youth/people of Tonga which is actually my most exciting and thrilling aspect of Tonga. I've mainly written it myself so far, of course with the help of the internet, but I'm impressed with what I've come up with so far. I do think some of my college professors would be a bit proud.

7. I've heard the most amazing singing and hear it almost every Sunday and a couple of times during the week.

8. I've eaten foods I've never thought we supposed to be consumed.

9. I've been swimming in the Pacific Ocean more than I ever thougth I would. I've also snorkelled and saw many great sea creatures.

10. And I've done many other things, but that's all I'm going to account for now.

When this story was posted in July 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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Special Events for RPCVs Join the NPCA in DC for Advocacy Day on July 28 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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July 9, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Mike Honda says Democratic Party in paradigm shift 6 July Peace Corps Suspends Program in Gabon 8 July Thomas Tighe says Thailand is faring better 8 July Michael Parmly appointed top diplomat in Cuba 7 July Paul Timmreck got his start trailing garbage trucks 7 July Shays says London explosions should be wakeup call 7 July Tom Murphy says: Be Vigilant, But Not Afraid 7 July Gov. Doyle saddened and outraged by London Attacks 7 July RPCV Films organizing Film Festival 6 July Terez Rose writes Aid for Africa – Will the G8 Help? 6 July Carl Youngberg takes ballet to Honduras 6 July Kafatia faces a mandatory eight years in prison 6 July Bill Moyers says LBJ hated FOIA law 6 July Andy and Trudy Anderson work with The Hunger Project 5 July Thomas A. Dine deplores the attack against reporter 5 July Mime Troupe tackles history, politics and the World Bank 4 July Francis Mandanici says investigation could lead to impeachment 4 July Beth Bedinotti says motherhood is "toughest job" 1 July Director Vasquez Visits Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean 1 July

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July 8, 2005: PC suspends program in Gabon Peace Corps announced the suspension of the program in Gabon citing the high cost of the program. In addition, a 2003 Inspector General report documented safety and security costs of $1 million that would be necessary to keep the program operating successfully. Background: In 1998 Peace Corps Volunteer Karen Phillips was was found murdered in the weeds about 100 yards from her home in Oyem, Gabon. Her killer has never been brought to justice.

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