Some Project Work in July 2015

In our Peanut Farm Project we had some problems after we distributed the peanut seed.  There was a little house that housed two of the families in our project, so they had two bags of the peanut seed in their home preparing it to plant.  The Grandparents, who are not members, own the house, left for a meeting one evening for only 20-30 minutes.  Their seven year old Grandson was living there as well and had fallen asleep, so they left a candle burning, as they have no power, so that he would not wake up to the dark.  Something happened and the house caught fire burning it to the ground including the little seven year old boy and their peanut seed.  We visited the family to give our condolences and to assure them that we would find the funds for two more bags of peanut seed so that they could still be a part of the project!

This is what is left of the little house.  In the back ground you can see flowers where they found the little boy.  The little boy is standing on the burned peanut seed.

Here he is picking through the peanuts finding the ones that are not too burned to eat.

This is the Grandmother and Grandfather who owned the house. The wrap she is wearing is when a family member dies.  Sometimes they were it for 6-12 months!

This Grandma holding a picture of her little Grandson.  This was a very hard day for Elder and Sister Murdock.  It was so very sad.

This next project was for Kolomotu'a GPS School.  We remodelled five classrooms with new flooring, walls, doors, windows and paint.  It made such a difference.  This school was our Supervisor's, Ana Ika, school when she was a little girl.  They are using the same desks that she had when she was there.  We have given some new used desks to them to make the learning environment a little better for the students.  Here are some before pictures and after pictures of the school.

As you can see the floor is terrible and the door by the table has a big whole in it.

Another door with a whole.  This happens a lot in the schools here, we are not sure why.  And the desks are not up to what they should be.

This is one of the men doing the work on this school.  Even the children help when they can.

Doesn't this look much better!  We were so proud of all that they did in 7-10 days time.

Another room, see no wholes in the doors and new tile on the floors.

These are the students of this school.  The little boy standing next to Elder Murdock, if you will look closely you can see how crooked his little leg is.  He broke it and this is how they let it heal.  That is what happens here in Tonga!

This is Elder Murdock and Ana Ika doing the Handover Ceremony.

"Life does not begin with birth, nor does it end with death."  Russell M. Nelson

"Education is not a posture, stance, or recognition.  It is, in fact, a continuing process.  When learning is applied properly, it can become power.  Wisdom and integrity must become an integral part of a truly educated person.  Education is not an arrival achievement.  It is a journey."  Marvin J. Ashton