Children, The Family and Health: What it Takes to Give Children Long Life
The Hawaii Workshop: Tongan Families In A Changing World: In Pursuit of Healing, Health and Wholeness
The Kingdom of Tonga today has a population of 98,000. The total land area being 699 square kilometers spread over 100,000 square kilometers of territorial area. There are 172 islands and 35 of which are inhabited. In the past five years, the population has remained about the same. Due to a great number of people migrating to other parts of the world.
This migration has boosted the economy of the country by Tongans working overseas sending money back to families and relatives. On the other hand, there are many women bringing up children on their own and husbands who deserted their families have increased the number of divorces in the country.
The people of Tonga are naturally placid and calm but the price of so called progress coming in so fast leaves a sense of confusion and a fear of “being left behind.” Many follow without thinking and others dig in their toes or retreat to the security of tried and familiar ways. This push and pull situation brings hidden fears and stress which is reflected in the growing number of broken and very dysfunctional families in Tonga. In fact, the whole country at the moment seems like in a whirlwind.
This is a great challenge for our people and from the top to the bottom of our 3 tiered society we are forced by these circumstances to sit down in our respective roles and reassess our situation, as it were, from within the eye of the storm, though our spiritual and cultural values. From the identified needs of family members, the Education Department, Ministry of Health, Church and Community Groups are quietly setting up support services, especially in counselling and basic skills training. These particular services help people to be aware of what is happening and take the courage and initiative to personally participate in healing these areas of life.
More people are now returning to natural medicine and there is a strong possibility that this trend will continue. Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Tonga have encouraged the people to grow more plants of medicinal value. The King has been a fine example setting the whole country on a weight loss program which has attracted world wide interest.
This royal example opens up new fun and healthy trends in the community which, in some cases, is also providing environmentally sensitive employment. There is also a growing awareness of need for adult education, making it more acceptable to seek or attend skills training.
Last Modified: November 29, 2002