Batch 6: Free Write 2 – The Other Side of Paradise

There were many opportunities that I was able to tour some villages in order to collect information on one of my researches during internship. The methods for collecting data and information on a research project was interviewing sample population of elderlies on selected villages outside the capital. Although the research and interviews of the sample population were successful, however I was actually heartbroken with a new discovery.

 

Tongan people are living in paradise but the other side of paradise, people are living in poverty with little access to running water. I never realized that some people in my country live like this which was extremely despairing. I remembered visiting my paternal grandparents back in the eighties in a very far island called Hunga located in the Vava’u group of islands where families were poor. I didn’t realize that the main island of Tongatapu now there are some people who still live like this.

These people need my help and one day I would return to help. These pictures maybe disturbing to some, but I had to take these pictures to remind me that there are some people in Tonga who needs my help.

During my three and half months in Tonga there was this one particular man who really touched my life. He was the most amazing individual that I had ever met, and although his living condition was heartbreaking nevertheless he was always happy. I was touched that his Christian faith was extremely strong, his optimism was always spot on, and his positive attitudes were pretty remarkable. I actually visited him so many times after our first initial interview for my research project. The reasons why I kept visiting him was to get his permission without offending him to allow me to build him a house.

I had saved some money in the bank in Tonga for future emergencies. A very dear friend of mine who lives in San Francisco of whom I called for his help to help me with my project.

Here’s some pictures of before and after;

 The total amount for this project was USD$2500.00, with half of it from my dear friend who lives in San Francisco. My savings actually paid for labor and some of the materials. A high school mate of mine owns a quarry who donated the rocks, sand and bricks for this house. The whole project was done in two weeks and I was honored that I was allowed to make a difference.