April 17, 2020 I and my wife Cheralyn, recently completed a humanitarian dental mission to the small Pacific island nation of Tonga.

Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy that relies heavily on agriculture. You will lodge on a small private island, Sam’s Island, which was gifted by the Princess of Tonga to host HEFY for each weekend during the summer. No experience needed. When Captain James Cook first visited Tonga 250 years ago his reception was such that he named the islands, the Friendly Islands.

For an example: Building outdoor bathrooms, playgrounds and teaching in schools. All the treatment is provided for free and is open to any residents on the island. The people there are very friendly and appreciative of our efforts. We provide workshops such as basket weaving, traditional fishing, cooking, dancing and coconut shaving. The adventure will continue off of Sam’s Island as you tour the island of Tongatapu. #polynesian #pacificislands #southpacific #rarotonga #polynesia #starfish #seacreatures #oceananimals #marineanimals #sealife #realmiddleearth #visittonga #lifeatsea #saillife #freedive #instaocean #oceanic #humpbackwhale #dolphins #pushtoexplore Affectionately called the "Friendly Islands," Tonga is made up of a total of 70 islands spread over six districts. Help me to help them by donating! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention () has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Tonga due to COVID-19.Tonga has lifted stay at home orders, and resumed some transportation options and business operations. Reconsider travel to Tonga due to COVID-19.. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. Copyright © 2015 Humanitarian Experience for Youth. Copyright © 2015 Humanitarian Experience for Youth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints first came to Tonga in 1891 and since has more than 60,000 members that make up the families of the island. Remember: because we do rolling admissions, the earlier you apply, the better the chances you have of making it. During the expedition, Builders will work alongside local families and members to help build facilities in an impoverished community where most of the residents don't have electricity or plumbing. Copyright © 2015 Humanitarian Experience for Youth. Your first weekend in Tonga, you will find yourself bathing in the sun on the beautiful sandy beaches of the mystical islands of Tonga. I will be helping build homes and bathrooms for them. Winds of more than 230 km fell upon the island and flattened the parliament building and tangled power lines, leaving thousands without electricity for weeks.

Flights: frequent.Special Notes: Limited options for those with special dietary restrictions, 307 W 200 SSuite 5002Salt Lake City, UT 84101, Click here to make donations requested by HEFY builders.

Approximately 3 hours, Vava'u, Tonga to Auckland, New Zealand by plane. Currently, about 3% of the population lacks access to electricity and 16 out of every 1,000 babies born in Tonga will die before their 5th birthday. Apply to be a Trip Leader. We attend sporting events, religious meetings, community dances and feasts.

The main island of Tongatapu is where the capital of Nukualofa is located, and most people live on this island. Although we scout the best private medical care in each country, if your child has special physical, mental, or emotional health needs, consider the distance of the country from the United States or the nearest developing country. Dentists and dental students from North America staff the clinic throughout the year on a totally volunteer basis. The country must import a high proportion of its food, and Tonga relies heavily on external aid and remittances – money earned by a foreign worker but sent back home. HEFY builders can look forward to visiting this temple during their humanitarian trip to Tonga. "My trip to Tonga was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. Our threefold mission is to provide: We work shoulder to shoulder with the locals in all our projects which create life long friendships and a connection to the Tongan culture. Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy that relies heavily on agriculture. There are now more than 60,000 members in this island community, and in 1983, the Nuku'alofa temple was dedicated.

Proudly created with Wix.com. © 2023 by James Consulting. Some had been putting up with several teeth causing pain for lengthy periods of time. I and my wife Cheralyn, recently completed a humanitarian dental mission to the small Pacific island nation of Tonga. The terrain divides Tonga into four island groups: the mostly low-lying Tongatapu group, the volcanic and coral Ha'apai group, the flat coral islands of the Vava'u group, and the volcanic Nitus group in the north. A substantial number of Tongans live on subsistence agriculture and what they can get from the sea. However, tourism and light industry have become increasingly important in recent years.

I worked in a permanent community dental clinic located at a school in the middle of the island.

If you can't find the information there, email us at info@hefy.org or give us a ring at 801-900-4111! I did some root canals on younger patients to help them save important front teeth. Tonga is a truly beautiful island nation, with an abundance of remote and almost endless white-sand beaches, all protected by reefs. They have a high incidence of diabetes and heart disease, with a low life expectancy in the low to mid 60s.

Although the clinic has a humanitarian foundation which helps sponsor in part, visiting dentists are encouraged to bring their own supplies.

Time will be set aside to visit local villages and experience the true culture of Tonga. HEFY builders can look forward to visiting this temple during their humanitarian trip to Tonga. Our humanitarian youth trips stand above all other humanitarian trips. You will lodge on a small private island, Sam’s Island, which was gifted by the Princess of Tonga to host HEFY for each weekend during the summer. Embrace a culture that will make you feel welcomed and like you are a part of the family. Because of the diet and the economy, dental problems are very common, and routinely go untreated. The people of Tonga are as welcoming as the country's nickname implies. Proudly created with.

Tonga is one of two countries in the world that allows guided whale swims. If you can't find the information there, email us at info@hefy.org or give us a ring at 801-900-4111! The Spirit and humility that I was able to feel in the members homes was incredible. Tonga currently has a poverty rate of 22.1% meaning that roughly one out of every 5 Tongans lives below the poverty line.

Humanitarian trips are an opportunity to promote human welfare and improve outcomes for some of the world’s most in-need people. The Polynesian folklore explains that the Vava'u islands in the archipelago of Tonga were created by the god Maui, who caught the bottom of the sea with his magic hook and fished them to the surface. Interestingly, the island is a monarchy, and it was never a colony to any other country.

If you don't remember your password, please click the link below and check your inbox to see if you have an "Account Details" email from HEFY. 13:53 .

Natural disasters like Tropical Cyclone Gita continue to create difficulty for the Tongan Government, infrastructure, and Tongan agriculture.

Also greatly appreciated was the generous donation of antibiotics and painkillers by Pincher Creek Pharmasave for me to take to Tonga to use for my patients and leave for continued use by the dental volunteers who follow.

The country must import a high proportion of its food, and Tonga relies heavily on external aid and remittances--money earned by a foreign worker but sent back home. It was 19 days and we built a house for a local family. About one quarter of the population live below the poverty line.

Dedicated in 1983 by President Gordon B. Hinckley this temple has long served many of the island nations located in the South Pacific.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are a must when visiting this lovely island nation. You will visit the Nukualofa, Tonga Temple, the Church’s 23rd operating temple! However, tourism and light industry have become increasingly important in recent years.

Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy that relies heavily on agriculture. Tongans affectionately nicknamed Tonga the "Friendly Island of Tonga" originally coined by Captain Cook. I am saving to participate in a humanitarian trip to the island of Tonga. HEFY Tonga Humanitarian Trip 2014 - Duration: 13:53. We would love to hear from you! © 2023 by James Consulting. Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy that relies heavily on agriculture. Sadly, some of the warm and delightsome natives are living under impoverished circumstances. There will be: net fishing, spearfishing, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking and more! I was helped in this by the two main dental supply companies in Alberta which work with our clinic in Pincher Creek and other community support.

Trip Leader Applications for Summer 2021 are now being accepted! If you don't remember your password, please click the link below and check your inbox to see if you have an "Account Details" email from HEFY. We left on January 30 and returned on February 26. This has not changed, and we feel so fortunate to have had the experience. Tonga is the only South Pacific country to never have been colonized by a foreign power; in fact, this island nation has handed the kingship down through many generations, beginning in the 10th century. There are many people in need of adequate homes and facilities.
Activities on the island include volleyball, beach games, and snorkeling on the tropical reefs surrounding these ancient islands.

There are now more than 60,000 members in this island community, and in 1983, the Nuku'alofa temple was dedicated. Susceptibility to natural disaster also remains a barrier for development in Tonga.

Our humanitarian youth trips stand above all other humanitarian trips.
Tonga, officially named the Kingdom of Tonga, is a Polynesian sovereign state and archipelago nation comprising 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited. Flights: frequent.Special Notes: Limited options for those with special dietary restrictions, 307 W 200 SSuite 5002Salt Lake City, UT 84101, Click here to make donations requested by HEFY builders. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had an official presence in Tonga for well over a century. Tonga is made up of several small islands in the south pacific and has a total population of only about 105,000.

You’ll get out of your comfort zone and use your travel to positively build capacity within the community and culture you’re immersed in while increasing access to vital services, education, and healthcare.