I apologize for my radio silence the past couple of
weeks. I was planning to write two prior posts to this one regarding Camp Grow
and Glow and the Class 6 exam, but unfortunately after two years of heat and
humidity my computer seems to have finally broken. I am writing this post from
the main island of Tongatapu. This will be my final entry in this blog.
It is difficult to summarize two years in a few
short paragraphs, let alone to try to explain the myriad of emotions I feel
about leaving Vava’u – my home for the past two years – to return to America. I
will, however, attempt to do so.
When I applied to Peace Corps I wanted and fully
expected to go to Africa. To me Peace Corps and Africa were practically synonymous.
When I was invited instead to Tonga in the South Pacific I was actually
disappointed, which was not helped by well-meaning friends telling me that I
must be so happy not to have been placed in Africa, or my Peace Corps recruiter
emailing me that I had won the “lottery.”
On my arrival to Tonga, I tried to move past my disappointment
and continue with an open mind, but I don’t think that I truly did. Initially,
I struggled to come to terms with my preconceived notions of what my life as a
volunteer should be and what it actually was. I distinctly remember telling
another volunteer that I was worried that Tonga would never feel like “home.”
Yet, somewhere in that spell, I fell in love with
Tonga and specifically, Vava’u. I came to cherish the generosity of the people,
the beauty of the country, and the friendliness of the islands. I have been
remarkably fortunate to have lived in three villages that have supported and opened
their arms to me from day one. I have made significant friendships with
numerous Tongans that I will long hold dear, and formed life-long friendships
with other volunteers. I have worked with three amazing teachers, and there
will always be a special place in my heart for the children of GPS Houma.
The last week has been extremely emotional with
numerous goodbyes and many generous parting gifts given to me. I was greatly
touched by how many people took the time to say goodbye to me and spoke so
fondly of our last two years together. Each goodbye was special in its own
unique way. My Baha’i friends invited me to dinner in their home, gave me a
beautiful necklace, and wrote a poem for me. My teachers and their families
took me out on their boat to explore the islands, swim, and have a picnic on
the beach.
On Wednesday – my final day in Vava’u and the second
and last day of the Class 6 exam –the three villages held a farewell feast in
my honor. With all of my students and their parents in attendance and a massive
amount of food heaped on top of the tables, I stood up in front of the crowd while
my students presented me with gifts and hugs. I couldn’t help but tear up as I
was given woven baskets, place mats, coasters, fans, bags, and many necklaces.
After all of the presents, I made a thank you speech and was overcome with
emotion as I attempted to explain how much the last two years has meant to me
and express my love for our community. Once I finished, various people stood up
and thanked me for my service.
That afternoon, I went to every single house in each
of the three villages to say goodbye to each person. This took me four hours,
but I felt a strong need to say a personal goodbye to each person and provide closure
for our relationship.
Through all of this, I was highly emotional and
continuously tearing up, but it hadn’t hit me that I was leaving. I just didn’t
really believe it. The following morning, before my flight at 1 pm, I went to
the school to say goodbye to my kids and this was when it hit me. Hugging every
kid, I completely broke down and unashamedly and fiercely wept. All of my kids and
teachers were crying as well as we were all overcome with the emotion of the
moment. I will never forget that moment, and the love I feel for that school
and those kids.
It is with bittersweet feelings that I leave this
South Pacific Paradise. After two years, I am ready to move on to the next
chapter of my life, begin my career, and strive to reach new heights. I have
missed my friends and family, and am eager to return to them. But, at the same
time, a piece of me will forever remain in Vava’u, with the Tongans in Ha’akio,
Houma, and Mangia. I have created a new life for myself here as Soni, the pcv,
and it is with a heavy heart that I leave that behind. I hope to one day return
to Tonga, but I may never again see so many of the people who made my life here
so special. I came to Tonga to make a small difference in the lives of the
people and in the end it is the people of Tonga – my friends, community,
neighbors, and co-workers – who have changed me forever.
Thank you all for your continued readership of this
blog and for your support. At first I found this blog to be a burden, but in
time, as with Tonga, I began to enjoy it and view the blog as a kind of living
diary, a way to share my experiences with those who read it. Thank you for
giving that to me and for everything else.
‘Ofa atu
