This section is composed of excerpts from the\u00a0Tonga Welcome Guide<\/em>\u00a0that I received during the last phase of the\u00a0application process<\/a>.\u00a0 While there was basic information sent out when I was told about the assignment, it wasn’t until I received the guide that I had a clearer idea of where I was going despite all my research.\u00a0 This will probably change from year to year anyway. This segment is divided into:<\/p>\n |\u00a0Back to Top<\/a>\u00a0|<\/p>\n <\/a>Tonga at a Glance<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/ul>\n <\/a>History<\/em><\/p>\n The history of Tonga can be traced as far back as 950 AD, during the rule of ‘Aho’eitu, the first Tu’i Tonga, or King of Tonga.\u00a0 He was both the civil and religious ruler of Tonga, and exercised tremendous power.\u00a0<\/p>\n By the 15th century AD, civil wars had begun, and the ruling Tu’i Tonga was increasingly under threat of assassination.\u00a0 As a result, the Tu’i, Kau’ulufonua Fekai, established another line of kings, known as the Tu’i Ha’atakalaua.\u00a0 Kau’ulufonua Fekai appointed his younger brother Mo’ungamotu’a as the first Tu’i Ha’atakalaua, and bestowed all the temporal (civil) functions onto the new line.\u00a0 The Tu’i Tonga retained the religious functions, and, as a result, remained mainly in the background.\u00a0 By the time of the sixth Tu’i Ha’atakalaua, another subdivision of power took place.\u00a0 This particular kings passed on the temporal functions to the third line of kings, the Tu’i Kanokupolu.\u00a0<\/p>\n Three lines of kings ruled Tonga, but over time, the Tu’i Tonga and Tu’i Ha’atakalaua lines began to lose their prominence.\u00a0 In 1845, with the emergence of King George Tupou I, the Tu’i Tonga and Tu’i Ha’atakalaua lines became extinct.\u00a0 All the chiefs and nobles in Tonga today are descendants of the three lines of kings.\u00a0 The present king of Tonga is the 22nd Tu’i Kanokupolu.\u00a0 He is the only direct descendant of all three lines, and as such, holds the distinction of being the most superior person in Tonga by rank and person.<\/p>\n |\u00a0Back to Top<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0History<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Government<\/a>\u00a0| <\/a>Government<\/em><\/p>\n Tonga is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the king.\u00a0 Since the adoption of the Constitution in 1875, Tonga became a Kingdom under a monarch whose heirs are entitled to perpetual succession to the Throne.\u00a0 The Government is divided into three branches – the executive which is headed by His Majesty’s Privy Council and Cabinet, the Legislative Assembly (Parliament), and the Judiciary.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Privy Council assists the King in the discharge of his functions and is the highest executive authority.\u00a0 It is composed of the Cabinet Ministers and the Governors of Ha’apai and Vava’u.\u00a0 The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, twelve Ministers, and two Governors who are all appointed by His Majesty.\u00a0 The Legislative Assembly consists of the Cabinet members, nine elected representatives of hereditary nobles (elected by the 33 nobles), and nine elected representatives of the people.\u00a0 Election to the Legislative Assembly is held every three years.\u00a0 The Judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, the Land Court, and the Magistrate’s Court, with a right to appeal to the Court of Appeals in respect to land cases, civil cases, and sentences in criminal cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n The last two decades have seen the biggest change in Tonga, especially with regard to its international status.\u00a0 Tonga became a member of the Pacific Forum and the Pacific Conference, both important regional bodies.\u00a0 In 1975, Tonga developed economic and political ties with the European Economic Community and with different African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations.\u00a0 In 2000, Tonga became a full member of the United Nations.\u00a0 The most obvious benefit to Tonga from its widening association with other countries has been the inflow of foreign aid from developed countries and international agencies.\u00a0 aid has enabled the Kingdom to bring about improvement in social services and in the construction of essential infrastructure.<\/p>\n |\u00a0Back to Top<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0History<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Government<\/a>\u00a0| <\/a>Economy<\/em><\/p>\n Agriculture and fishing are the mainstays of the Tongan economy.\u00a0 The main agricultural products include various types of taro, yams, cassava, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, papaya, pineapple, mango, tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers.\u00a0 The main cash crops are kava, vanilla, and in the last five years, export of squash pumpkins to the Japanese market has shown great potential.<\/p>\n Remittances from Tongans living abroad have played a significant role in the economy over the last decade.\u00a0 The major imports are textiles, building materials, petroleum products, vehicles, and food.<\/p>\n |\u00a0Back to Top<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0History<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Government<\/a>\u00a0| <\/a>People and Culture<\/em><\/p>\n Tongans have a well-developed sense of community based on an intricate and extensive extended family unit and a close affiliation to the church.\u00a0 Tongan families are close knit and take care of each other almost unconditionally.\u00a0 One’s immediate family includes grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.\u00a0 In many cases, the entire family works together to plant, harvest, cook, and fish.\u00a0 It is still common for children to marry and live with either parents or grandparents, and it is quite uncommon for single adult children to live independent of their families.<\/p>\n As a devoutly Christian kingdom, religion is woven into almost every aspect of daily life.\u00a0 Tongans attend church regularly and bless each meal, meeting, and event with a prayer.\u00a0 Almost all Tongans are Christians and belong to any one of the twenty or so different denominations in Tonga.\u00a0 About 43 percent of the total population belongs to the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, followed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon), the Catholic Church, the Free Church of Tonga, and the Church of Tonga.\u00a0 Laws of the Sabbath are quite strict and widely upheld in Tonga.\u00a0 Virtually everything is closed on Sundays, except for emergency facilities, bakeries in the afternoon, and tourist facilities.<\/p>\n There are some elements of Tonga’s rich and traditional culture that are still prevalent in the Kingdom today.\u00a0 One of the most distinct customs is the use of the ta’ovala, a decorative woven mat tied around the waist.\u00a0 There are certain ta’ovala for each occasion, and the kind of ta’ovala is determined by the nature of work one does and one’s social status.\u00a0 Peace Corps Volunteers are usually given a ta’ovala by their host families.\u00a0 Wearing the mat in professional and religious settings earns Volunteers the respect of community members.<\/p>\n Another element of Tongan culture that is still celebrated today is dancing.\u00a0 Tongan dance can be traced as far back as the 15th century.\u00a0 No celebration in Tonga is complete without some form of dancing, and impromptu dances are something common to Tonga and other islands in the Pacific.\u00a0 This love of dancing gave rise to the tradition called fakapale, or giving appreciation for artistry and performance.\u00a0 In modern times, the tradition of fakapale has been expanded to include money that is tucked into a performer’s costume, stuck to the legs or arms, or placed at the dancer’s feet.\u00a0 Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in and observe Tongan dancing in their communities throughout their service.<\/p>\n |\u00a0Back to Top<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0History<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Government<\/a>\u00a0| <\/a>Environment<\/em><\/p>\n Tonga has seven officially protected areas, including marine parks and national marine and coastal reserves.\u00a0 Unfortunately, funds are limited and conservation is not a high priority in Tonga.\u00a0 Most of the land in Tonga has been converted into either plantations or town tracts; however, large areas of natural rainforest and bush-land occur on the Niuas and ‘Eua, as well as on the volcanic islands.\u00a0 The upland areas of ‘Eua contain a relatively large forest reserve.\u00a0 Along with the forest crater of Tofua island, they represent the only significant strands of first-growth rainforest in the country.<\/p>\n The most common plant you will see in Tonga is the coconut palm, the “tree of life” for all South Pacific peoples.\u00a0 The beeches and reefs are also home to numerous species of crabs, shell-fish, starfish, and crustaceans.\u00a0 Popoises and migrating humpback whales may be seen in the waters around Tonga.\u00a0 The only land mammal native to Tonga is the flying fox.<\/p>\n |\u00a0Back to Top<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0History<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Government<\/a>\u00a0| <\/a>Peace Corps in Tonga<\/strong><\/p>\n The Peace Corps has a rich and extensive history in the Kingdom of Tonga.\u00a0 Volunteers arrived here in October 1967 at the invitation of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.\u00a0 The initial group consisted of only 39 trainees; within the first year there were more than 400 Volunteers and trainees in Tonga.\u00a0 More than 1,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in the Kingdom of Tonga since, the majority as teachers.\u00a0 However the Peace Corps programming in Tonga has also included work in fisheries, agriculture, physical therapy, architecture, health, marine biology, water resources, cooperatives, business, construction, environment, and youth.\u00a0 Today, approximately 70 Volunteers are serving in the Kingdom of Tonga.\u00a0 Volunteers are working in two projects – school-based community education and community-based youth development.<\/p>\n Most school-based community education Volunteers teach classes in either government or church schools.\u00a0 They teach 10-15 hours per week in a formal classroom situation, working in one or more of the following areas: English literacy, business education, basic computer skills, and industrial arts.\u00a0 Some teacher-trainer Volunteers conduct English lessons in multiple schools, modeling proven and creative teaching techniques, while others are developing science and creative writing curricula.\u00a0 In addition to formal classes, Volunteers are developing libraries, computer-assisted reading programs, community computer classes, school gardens, and enhancing practical skills for girls.\u00a0 In the communities, Volunteers are working with youth groups, and several have organized workshops for women and girls.\u00a0 The school-based community education project emphasizes the development of English usage, computer, vocational, and life skills for students; the strengthening of teachers’ and support staff’s professional development, including bilingual capabilities; the expansion of learning options within the schools and the communities; and creating school-community linkages.<\/p>\n The purpose of the community-based youth development project is to positively engage youth and strengthen their capacity to assume expanded roles within their family life, in the world of work, and as active citizens.\u00a0 The project focuses on building capacity in four areas – among individuals, service providers, organizations, and communities.\u00a0 Peace Corps \/ Tonga has expanded its role in providing unemployed and at-risk Tongan youth with educational, personal, and skills development opportunities.\u00a0 This project has placed a strong emphasis on community and family development and the role of youth as citizens and future leaders.\u00a0 The emphasis of this project in the coming years will be in the development of income generation and employability strategies and activities for the youth of the Kingdom.\u00a0 With an increasing youth population, a weakening economy, and a depleted land supply, addressing the issue of employability has become more critical than ever.<\/p>\n |\u00a0Back to Top<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Tonga at a Glance<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Peace Corps in Tonga<\/a>\u00a0|<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Information about Tonga (as of 2002) This section is composed of excerpts from the\u00a0Tonga Welcome Guide\u00a0that I received during the last phase of the\u00a0application process.\u00a0 While there was basic information sent out when I was told about the assignment, it wasn’t until I received the guide that I had a clearer idea of where I … Continue reading Info on Tonga (2002)<\/span> \n
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\n|\u00a0Tonga at a Glance<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Peace Corps in Tonga<\/a>\u00a0|<\/p>\n