TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) students from the Liahona High School have been refining their skills as they assist with construction of portions of a recreational facility being developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Makeke, Tonga.
Originally the students were asked to build 120 picnic tables for use at the camp. Leaders were so impressed with the quality of the tables that they asked the students for additional help with portions of the office and the missionary quarters for the missionary couple taking care of the site being constructed at the camp.
Sixteen small fales are being built on the campsite. Solar power panels, batteries and lights are being installed in each by the TVET students.
Elder and Sister Killary are thankful for the work being done by the TVET students. “We are so grateful for the effort they are putting into Makeke. They are putting a lot of extra effort into the project right now to finish it. They will be coming out every weeknight with a few students until it is completed. They do good work and have a lot of fun doing it. We are so proud of these kids and so appreciate their instructors for teaching them the importance of quality work. They have been amazing!”
David Amende, Pacific Engineer for the Church, added “We are working with the TVET team to ensure DC solar lights are installed in the next month or two.”
TVET is a program of vocational education offered at the Liahona High School, operated by the Church. Students develop skills in one or more technical areas including carpentry, electrical, auto mechanics, welding, hospitality, fashion and design, architectural drafting and ICS and MOS computer classes.
The first Church school opened in Tonga in 1892. Later, in 1947 the Church purchased the land upon which the current Liahona High School is located. Six years later, with the help of thousands of labour missionaries, the high school opened. The success of the Liahona High School led to growth of the Church education programs throughout the South Pacific.
Forty students of the school built the office directly behind the students pictured above, including the roof trusses, the electrical and air conditioning in the office. It is estimated that, upon completion, 20% of the work performed at Makeke Camp will have been by volunteers, including the TVET students.
Located on 75 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the southern part of Tongatapu, Makeke Camp is part of the Vaini Stake. It is being built to provide camping opportunities for the young women of the Church in Tonga. However, when not being used by the young women organizations of the Church, the camp will also be available for use by Church groups and families. Similar camps have been made available in several locations in the United States. However, Makeke Camp will be only the fourth recreational property outside the United States.
A senior missionary couple, Elder and Sister Killary arrived at the end of May to serve as camp directors. They will live on site for the next 18 months as they assist with completing the camp and then oversee its use. The camp is expected to be operational this Spring.