Casey Frazee, First Response Action founder, had a conference call with Peace Corps Headquarters in March. PC says they are implementing changes to the Volunteer Handbook and they are even updating the Rape Response Handbook (the most recent version is from 1996). While I whole-heartedly want to believe Peace Corps, I also want to check and see what is going on in sexual assault trainings around the world.

If you are a new Peace Corps Trainee or Volunteer (or if you are leaving soon) please visit the blog, fill out the survey, and pass it along to any incoming PCVs (PCTs). Instructions on how to return the survey are on the form. Honest answers are most appreciated. No names or identifying details will be shared with PC or anyone outside the Coalition board members. We respect confidentiality!

It only takes a minute! Thanks SO much! The survey is available here-
http://firstresponseaction.blogspot.com/2010/06/incoming-pcvs-we-need-you.html.

Mandla Langa at Tupou High School

Marina Endicott

Cynthia and Sateki, two of my favorite students, at the book reading.

If you get a moment to look at some of our new photos, you will see me– all dressed up in traditional Tongan clothes, mat and all, marching in the opening of the Parliament parade.  I’m just going to over generalize here, and say that Tongans love a) marching bands b) parades.  I honestly think all of Nuku’alofa came out for the event.  The parade, which involved nearly every school in Tongatapu, seemed to be designed to signify the people’s support for both the Royalty and the Parliament.  I don’t know if that is always a social/political reality, but like I said… everyone loves marching bands and parades!  This was the first year my school had a marching band, due to recently acquired instruments.  I have to say… I was impressed and enjoyed myself– despite the heat and the massive crowds.  And the outfit:)

Elaine is one of my closest friends. We worked together at the domestic violence shelter, My Sister’s House, in Charleston, SC. Her family is currently struggling with the inability to afford health care. Her 38-year old nephew, John Wesley (JW) Frierson, was diagnosed with hemochromatosis late last summer. Hemochromatosis causes iron overload and can cause damage to internal organs. JW has lost 70 pounds since September. The family recently learned that his liver is close to complete failure and he is a candidate for a liver transplant at the Medical University of SC. They call it “non-alcohol related cirrhosis.” The transplant team has advised that the surgery could take place within several weeks, however, the amount of funds in his account will be one of the determining factors as to when the transplant actually takes place. They will not proceed with the vital operation until enough funds are procured. JW and his wife, Carol, have 2 young children (Lori, 11 and Wesley, 7) and are an independent, loving, hard-working young couple and great parents. They just don’t have the resources they need to deal with this.

The family is fund raising through the National Transplant Assistance Fund, which is a 501 (c) 3 (non-profit), so donations made directly to them will be tax deductible. His website is:
http://www.transplantfund.org/restricted/patient-detail.cfm?pat_id=2948.

Living in this part of the world has given me a broader perspective on health care. We meet a lot of Australians and New Zealanders, and they are just appalled by the lack of health care coverage in the U.S. Those nations also provide comprehensive medical grants for Tongans who need medical procedures that cannot be addressed in Tonga. I just wish that my own nation felt that health care was a basic human right. If you are able to make even a small donation for John Frierson, please visit the “National Transplant Assistance Fund” as soon as possible.

The Frierson Family

I am also working with my IT counterpart, Vinod, and a new Energy Planner, Lano, on biofuel initiatives here in Tonga. It’s really exciting because these guys are really excited about the potentials here. In just few weeks, with Lano’s navigation of the culture and extreme enthusiasm and some background work I have done, we have been able to identify some real potential for reinvigorating the copra economy here in Tonga! We have also identified some people doing some really interesting things with grid tie solar systems as well as experimenting with gassification of wood systems! We have also gotten approval to install a two tank straight vegetable oil system in a Ministry truck!

BYU reactor from 2006, still being used! They are out of chemicals at the moment.

The Product line they are creating! The second from the left is the washed biodiesel.

Here is the couple and their tractor they have been using their homebrew in!

Here is Murray with his Solar grid tie system!

Here is Murray’s new project, his gassification of wood unit!

Here is the truck we are going to covert to a 2 tank SVO(straight veggie oil) system!

But for some reason I felt a bit relieved to know that I wouldn’t have to take one next year. So it was a bit surprising this week when I received an email that the new flu shot was mandatory due to the world wide H1N1 outbreak. Hmmm, is this the H1N1 flu shot? No. This is last fall’s flu shot. I have had the flu or flu like symptoms twice since January, I feel like I have developed an immunity to local strains and if/when H1N1 makes it here then we have Tamiflu. So why is it “mandatory”? We will find out if it actually is and I will let you know here. Stay posted.