After one year at site, Group 80 Volunteers reconvene for Mid-Service Training

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By Peace Corps Tonga
Jan. 22, 2017
Volunteer Group 80 descended on Tongatapu for a three-day Mid-Service Training on December 6, 7, and 8, 2016.

In those three busy days, they summarized their Year One achievements, were assessed for their Tongan language proficiency, and got some reminders from our Safety and Security Manager and PC Medical Officer. They also discussed what they’d done and learned in Year One (and might do in Year Two) related to producing new reading materials, carrying out literacy assessments, conducting small projects, serving children with special needs, carrying out collaborative capacity building with counterparts, and supporting our diverse range of Volunteers.

They learned about relevant research on literacy education in Tonga and met with Education Ministry representatives to discuss how Volunteers might work with their principals and staff to prepare and implement their schools’ annual operating plans. And they met with representatives of the Tonga National Basketball Association and FIBA (international basketball federation) about how Volunteers might continue the after-school basketball program begun last year by Groups 79 and 80.

Plus, the G80s had some fun, reconnected, swam on two beautiful days, saw the annual Tupou Tertiary Institute Christmas concert, had some medical and dental check-ups, enjoyed the view and fresh air, ate a lot, and had a bonfire (no marshmallows, though). Not bad for three days.

(See some highlights of Group 80's first year in Tonga in the photos below.)

Group 80 arrives in Tonga.
Group 80 arrives in Tonga (September, 2015)
Seeing a school library (Pre-Service Training)
Group 80 at a Volunteer's school library (during Pre-Service Training, September 2015))
Visiting a school garden during Pre-Service Training
Group 80 visits a Volunteer's school garden (during Pre-Service Training, October 2015)
Group 80s marching in the breast Cancer Awareness Parade (October, 2015)
Group 80s marching in the Breast Cancer Awareness Parade (October, 2015)
Group 80 Water Safety Training (Sepember, 2015)
Group 80 Water Safety Training (September, 2015)
Group 80 site assignment announcement (November, 2015)
Group 80s learn their site assignments (November, 2015)
Group 80 Swearing-In Ceremony (November, 2015)
Group 80 Swearing-In Ceremony (November, 2015)
Group 80 warriors perform at Swearing-In Ceremony (November, 2015)
Group 80 warriors dance at Swearing-In Ceremony (November, 2015).
Group 80 takes the oath at Swearing-In Ceremony (November, 2015)
Group 80s take the oath at Swearing-In Ceremony (November, 2015)
Group 80 marches to celebrate King's Birthday (July, 2016).
Group 80s march to celebrate King's Birthday (July, 2016).
Category: Pacific Islands, Tonga, Education, From the Field, Educators, Current Volunteers, Returned Volunteers, Prospective Volunteers, Peace Corps Volunteer

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