Introducing Meredith...

Meredith on the right with Lisa.

My name is Meredith Tufunga.

I’m 19 years old.

My parent is Suvenia and ‘Amusia Tufunga.

My favourite subject is Biology and Computer. 

My favourite colour is green.

I come from Olo’ua Island and I stay at Kameli.

I have ten members in my family. There are three boys and seven girls.

I was study at Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu College for 5 years at end up at Vava’u High School for 3 years.

I’m very glad to take this time so I can share how happy I are when I became VEPA members. When I get the job I’m very happy because it can help me by increase my knowledge not only that but I know that I can fulfil my dream. Most of the time I always dream that one day I can do something so I can help to make our environment clean and not only the clean and green but also to stop the pollution that occur in our environment. So now I join VEPA so i can work together with the VEPA to protect our environment because I know that today problem in our environment can produce a huge concern for us in the future. 

So I think it’s time for us TONGA to stand up and work together for a BETTER ENVIRONMENT in the future. So the REEF OF TODAY IS THE ISLAND FOR TOMORROW. 

Meredith joins in the awareness program with Lisa, Moala and Ofa.

VEPA Environmental Awareness Program - Jan 2015

So welcome back from Hainite, Lisa and Moala:

The Community Awareness Team -
Lisa, Hainite, and Moala

The Community Awareness Team now all in green!

We’ve had a great break and are back in our ta‘ovala’s

Ready to take-on twenty fifteen!

 



Presenting to all the GPS teacher's at Vava'u High

To kick off the new year with excitement

We went to the government high school

And told the teachers about the environment,

Which they said they thought was pretty cool.

 

Our team are now getting gee-d up

To teach everyone about our mangroves,

We’ve written a kids book, the schools are tee-d up,

And the replanting has begun, way to go!



Red Mangrove seedling

 

Something else we have to look forward to:

A Whale Competition for you to tell your tales

About what they mean to Tonga, to me, and to you,

And the prize? Winners will spend a day with the whales!





New office opening - Karen and Kate

Next step is to spruce up the new office

With interesting posters and pictures to peek at

If you haven’t found us we’re near the Dancing Roosters,

Come on by when you can and meet us!

October Terrestrial Environment Presentation

In the month of October VEPA headed out to the local high schools to do a presentation on the terrestrial environments and some human influenced impacts Vava’u is facing.

Student playing 

environmental celebrity 

heads

Vicky von Bernard (VEPA international volunteer) and I completed three presentations at Mailefihi Siuiliku Tabu College, Tailulu and Saineha Secondary School.  Unfortunately we were not able to complete the presentations at the other schools due to exams. 

The presentation touched on terrestrial biomes around the world, the unique Tongan biodiversity and endemic species as well as soil erosion, deforestation, dryland salinity, pollution and recycling.  

Elana and Viki a student 

from Tailulu

From previous presentations we have learnt that the students are shy and unwilling to put their hand up to ask questions or answer questions I ask them, even if they know the answer. To try and ‘loosen’ the crowd up we played Environmental Celebrity Heads with them.  A volunteer was chosen from the crowd to come up the front.  An environmental process or topic was stuck on their heads and the rest of the class had to help them guess what it was without telling them the directly.  For every right clue they got a lollipop.  Its amazing how kids shyness melts away when offered a sweet!

The students at Tailulu School in particular touched me.  With two enthusiastic students coming up to me at the end of the presentation and explaining their passion for the environment and how they would love to come and volunteer for VEPA!  Sesika and Viki thank you for your dedication towards protecting Vava’u’s environment.  I look forward to working with you on future  VEPA projects. 

‘Ofa atu

Elana

Environment Week 1st till 8th June 2012

and hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is targeting the theme of Green Economy - to improve the human well being and social equity by significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

During the week long program, schools will be creating environment based drama skits, clean ups along the waterfront and planting trees that are native species in Pounu Park in town.

Sadly, funds are low for this week and sponsorship is needed to make these events work. Please do sponsor even the smallest amount will be beneficial.

For the planting tree days - Heilala trees cost TOP20 per plant and other native plants are TOP5.00.

VEPA is sponsoring and we would ask other friends and businesses to be able to help if possible.

For more information please either contact us on info@vavauenvironment.org or Winnie at Ministry Of Environment and Climate Change.