Hi all,
Its been a while since our last update and we've reached that time of the year where suddenly everything piles up with Christmas preparations and the realization that its almost the end of the year!
Sina leaves today for Tonga for a week and will be meeting with the Tae Kami Foundation team is looking forward to decorating Tae's grave for Christmas and new years. Dom Sampson worked on a WOWS greeting card design that will be available in Tonga for sale at several outlets including the Friendly Island Bookshop and the popular cafes on the main street.
Its been an amazing year and we are beginning to realize how much more can be done as we tie loose ends and begin to get better organized. We have also been overwhelmed by the support of many here in Fiji and Tonga.
Some of our highlights include:
Registration of the Tae Kami Foundation in Tonga in 2009 was made possible by the support of Dana Stephenson. We now have a group of trustees and working on how the foundation will operate through the Pacific and Tonga.
Graduation Prizes in Tonga: We sponsored end of Year English and Library prizes for Tae's school, Queen Salote College and Tupou High School at the graduation in Tonga in November 2009 in support of the her favourite subject and hangout (the library) with books sourced from the Friendly Islands Bookshop. We hope the many recipients of the prizes will continue to pursue their education to their full potential and live their dreams!
Tae Kami Scholarships 2009: It is the end of the academic year for 7 students at Queen Salote College who were inaugaural recipients of their Tae Kami Scholarships covering school fees for the full year. More on the scholarship students once we get their bios and photos from Tupou Atiola. We have started a scholarship fund with the ANZ Bank in Tonga with TOP$5000 in early 2009 and also had generous support from a anonymous donor for the 2009 scholarships. We aim to eventually build the scholarship fund to enable annual support of several students per year and look forward to continuing into 2010. We hope that eventually Tae Kami Scholarships will be available to students in other schools across the Pacific.
WOWS Events in Fiji & Tonga
We celebrated the anniversary of Tae's death in Tonga and Fiji with the WOWS (Walk on Walk Strong Walk) - we hope its the start of an annual event with new activities in Auckland and Samoa in 2010.
Finally we want to wish all our friends and relatives and all those who have been part of this special journey a merry Christmas and blessed new year.
'ofa atu from us all
CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINA AND TAHOLO!!!
'OFA LAHI ATU TO YOU ALL,
:)) KAVA :))
ps...Love you Lil' Tae, Mia and Cyclone Joy!! ;)))
Posted by: Kava Tulua | December 15, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Hey Sina!
You might not remember me its me azora tohi!
Just wanted to say how much my luv is with yu guys!and how TAE is an inspiration an my idol! i listen to her song almost everyday! LoL but yea hopefully we will meet again!and hopefully i will get to meet the other to(joy and amelia) buht yea.
Ofa Atu
Azora Tohi
p.s Tae is forevr in my heart and everyones
Luv You
Posted by: Azora Tohi | December 18, 2009 at 12:07 PM