Viani GPS School Project 2016

This is a Government school in Viani that has 475 students.  They were requesting of us to renovate 6 big class rooms.  This project was approved January 19, 2016 and the next day they started the work.  Cleaning everything out and cutting holes in the walls for the new windows.  The materials for the renovation was delivered about the 5th of February.  They completed the job on the 5th of March.  It was so amazing to watch how much work they did in such a short time.  The building looked completely different as you will see from the following pictures.

This is the before picture of the building they have requested help in the renovation .

This was the roof of the veranda before renovation.

The veranda and door to one of the classrooms before renovation.

This is one of the classrooms that we will be renovating.  It was in great need as was all the building!

The day after we announced their project had been approved this is what happened!  They went right to work!

They have all the holes cut out for the new windows in the classrooms.

In just a few days this is what the new veranda and the frames for the new windows were all installed as well as all being painted.

Here is more of the crew painting.

Here is showing some of the materials that had been delivered for the renovation.

Such a difference already!

New door frames are now being painted.  It all looks so clean and bright!

This is Fine from PTH, our Home Depot here in Tonga, making sure all materials had been delivered.  This is the new tile that will be put down.

Here they are starting to prepare to lay the new tile.

Most of the tiled is laid.

Still working on the tile.

Just finishing up the tile.  They did these 6 classrooms in two days time!

Here they are grouting the tile now.

Now the new dividers for each classroom.  They are large folding doors that will open so if they need one large hall they will be able to use it as such.

Building more dividers.

Preparations for painting.  I would hate this job!

Here they are doing the painting of the classrooms and dividers.

More painting!

Looks so nice and clean ready to go!

Here they are painting blackboards on the dividers that can be used in each of the classrooms.

Now the clean up starts.  They had organized the children to help with the clean up.  Hopefully this will encourage them to take care of this new building they will have to go to school.

This group is cleaning up the yard area.

All clean and ready to go for the Handover Ceremony.

On March 7th we had the Handover Ceremony.  They had the building decorated beautifully with balloons, ribbons and mats.

It all look so wonderful.

This is President and Sister Tupou and the Representative from the Ministry of Education.  It was so nice to have them in attendance to our Ceremony.

This is some of the students of Viani GPS and of course Elder Murdock loves to be in the middle of them.  We so love the Tongan children with their beautiful smiles and sparkling eyes.

This is Huelo Lolomana'ia, Principal of Viani GPS.  She was the Master of Ceremonies.

This is the Champion in our Project, Tevita Cocker, PTA President.  He was responsible for all this work going so well.  The reason he is dressed in black is because his 16 year old son died just the day before from pneumonia.  We were all shocked that someone would die from pneumonia in this day and age!  And yet here he is carrying on with our Project!  He was an amazing man to work with.

Here Garrick Parr is presenting the scissors to Honourable Tevita Unga to cut the ribbon to the new classrooms.

Here Honourable Tevita Unga is cutting the ribbon to the new classrooms

Honourable Tevita Unga and Garrick Parr, Tonga Service Centre Manager, opened the door to the new classrooms for all to see.

Here is our group inspecting the finished classrooms.  We even have the Media here and we were on television that night.

Here is President and Sister Tupou and Tevita Cocker inspecting the classrooms.

From left to right, Ana Ika, Country Welfare Manager, Garrick Parr, Tonga Service Center Manager, Elder and Sister Murdock, and Honourable Tevita Unga; standing in the new classrooms.

This is the Honourable Tevita Unga.

They had a DJ there with dancing and very  loud music that is the only way they would play it.

They had Form 6 class girls perform a traditional Tongan dance,  It was wonderful!

President Tupou telling everyone that this is the Lords work, he is the one that made it possible.

Here Honourable Tevita Unga is presenting to Elder and Sister Murdock some beautiful baskets thanking them for the all the work they have done on this project here in Viani.

Elder Murdock putting on LDS Charities stickers on the doors showing that this was donated by the Church of Jesus Christ  of  Latter Day Saints.

This is the group of dignitaries that were in attendance to this Handover Ceremony.  We feel it was a great success!

Here is our refreshments mixed with all of their refreshments being served.

"Go to, then, you who are gifted; cultivate your gift. Develop it in any of the arts and in every worthy example of them. If you have the ability and the desire, seek a career or  employ your talent as an avocation or cultivate it as a hobby. but in all ways bless others with it."   Boyd K Packer