Commissioning of the new classrooms for Lavengamālie Christian College ^Featured

The new school building has three classrooms, which can accommodate 75 – 90 students; and a store room. Two classrooms are partitioned with a wondoor, which can be drawn to form one big room. The value of the construction was TOP$581,680.00.

This construction is under the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP) project managed under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC). It is co-funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government.

It aims at contributing to the resilient and sustainable economic and social development of Tonga through strengthening: early warning and preparedness; resilient investment; and financial protection.

The PREP project includes repairing/retrofitting and reconstructing of school buildings which were damaged by Tropical Cyclone Gita that hit Tonga and ‘Eua in February 2018. There are 25 schools in the project, building 33 new buildings and repairing 10, with a total of 126 classrooms. This construction program costs approximately TOP$28 million.

Rev. Saia Fāpuiaki Tatafu, General Secretary of Tokaikolo Church, in his brief scriptural counsel emphasized the importance of the functions of the classrooms in creating the whole being: physically, mentally and most importantly spiritually to be success.

The President of Lavengamalie Ex-Students Association, Mr. Sangster Saulala warmly welcomed the guests with gratitude, and he highlighted that the school has been blessed through prayers since its establishment, and the new classrooms is another blessing through the Government of Tonga, World Bank and the Government of Australia.

The Chief Executive Officer for MEIDECC, Mr. Paula Pouvalu Ma’u reported that, “The designing and supervision are done by an Australian company, Cardno. Cardno works together with Ministries of MEIDECC; Education and Training; Infrastructure; and Finance in closely monitoring of the constructions for quality.”

Mrs. Natalia Palu Lātū, the representative of the World Bank in Tonga, acknowledged the assistance from the Government of Australia, “This initiative would not have been completed without the support and partnership of the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade, Australia and our good friend His Excellency Adrian Morrison.”

The Guest of Honour, Honourable Hu’akavameiliku delivered a very encouraging speech of resilience and perseverance that have come to fruition, “Some of the classrooms were under the trees; the chairs were the rocks and students waded through pools of water when it rained, but your persevered for the future of the students. Consequently, students from Lavengamālie have successfully graduated academically and spiritually.”

Toutai he lotu ‘o e Hala Maumau Koula thanked the Government of Tonga; World Bank; Government of Australia; the Contractors and partners for their support and assistance that significantly contributed to the achievement of this milestone.

Mr. Paula Kava and representatives from Cardno; Mrs. ‘Ungatea Taufatofua, the Manager of South Sea Contractor and the builders; Professor ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki; Mr. ‘Isikeli Oko, Mr. Ponepate Taunisila and Senior Education Officers; members of the Parents & Teachers Association; members of the clergy; exstudents teachers and parents were also present to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Cardno, the Managing Contractor, designed and supervised the construction. The builder was the South Seas Contractor.