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A Life Worth Living: Teenagers, The Family, and Health

Langafonua, Tonga - 21-22 June, 1997

A Life Worth Living

The Program

9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony

"Education and Life" - Guest of Honour Meleane Puloka, Education Director for Wesleyan Schools

10:00 a.m. An Introduction to the Teufaiva Fitness Centre - Simi - Holder of the title, Mr. Tonga

11:00 a.m. Physical Life

"The Purpose of Life" - Kafuatu Luani - Senior Nursing Officer

"Public Health" - Sela Pasi - Senior Public Health Nurse

12:30 p.m. A lunch worth eating!

1:30 p.m. Mental Life

"The Basics of Mental Health" Sione Lalahi - Director of Vaevae Manava'ofa

2:30 p.m. Social Life

"An Alternative to Violence" Theresa Santos - Curriculum Director for Catholic Family Counselling

Education and Life - Meleane Puloka

Education is an essential ingredient in a beneficial and lasting life. Yet educators should carefully evaluate their curriculum. Does education give special value to human life, or does it teach that there is little difference between human life and animal life? When education devalues human life it quietly sanctions abortion, suicide, and other violent crimes.

Education comes in many forms - not just from school. the media uses television, movies, and books to influence and educate youths. Parents need to be aware of the education their children are receiving. They also need to retain their role as the primary educators of their children.

Education must go hand in hand with values and morals. When the two are divorced, all society suffers.

An Introduction to the Teufaiva Fitness Centre

The participants went to the gym for an introduction to the services and equipment available. Some of the employees gave an informal demonstration of the equipment.

It was the first visit, but not the last, for some of the seminar participants.

"The Purpose of Life" Kafuatu Luani

Purpose in life gives our life meaning. The purpose comes from God. God has made our physical body to be a house, a temple. It is in the body that the mind and spirits of man live. The health of the physical body affects the quality of life one can experience.

"Public Health" Sela Pasi

Sela described the work of a public health nurse. Then she gave the delegates the opportunity to ask any question they wished. Many of the questions concerned AIDS and other STDs.

"The Basics of Mental Health" Sione Lalahi

Sione, as simply as possible, described the medical and psychological causes of mental illness. The chief cause in Tonga is fears that are out of control. Then he explained how muscle relaxers (medications), massages and counselling work as treatments. He concluded with tips on parenting.

"An Alternative to Violence" Theresa Santos

Sometimes people are slow to show affection, yet quick to use violence. Theresa emphasized that we need to be loving instead of violent. It is important to let people (especially children) know that THEY ARE WORTH LOVING, and that they can love others.

Reported by Kalo Fohe

Last Modified: June 05, 2010