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King's Presentation

The top student from Tupou College accepts recognition from the King George Tupou V at the Education Day, a special event during the week-long celebration of his coronation in August, 2008.
Sela's Sea Star

My host sister Sela is showing me a sea star, while her younger sister, Kalo, is collecting more on the beach below. This is my absolute favorite picture from my service in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Western Islanders Sailing Canoe

Western Islanders in Chuuk sailed to Udot during our training program to meet future Volunteers assigned to their islands.
Cooking Pans in Paradise

One of my earliest, vivid memories was being dropped off at the beautiful Ala Moana Hotel in Waikiki and being herded into the elegant lobby by Soane Harrell... all twenty-some new Volunteers destined to become Tonga Viii. There we were in this elegant, upscale hotel carrying our backpacks, cooking pots and pans hanging and clanging from the straps. Lots of camouflage peace symbols, and scruffy beards in this Vietnam era. Cooking pans in Paradise? We had completed our training in Hilo, on the...
Save the reefs

Men in our village collecting crown of thorns which are destroying the reefs of Vanuatu
A bridal shower, Paama style

The oldest of the Avock family is my sister Lenneth age 24 who lives on another island with her daughter and husband to be. It’s not uncommon for couples to bear children before the official marriage ceremony. There are several parts to custom marriages that lead up to the actual religious union. Similar to our engagement parties and bridal/groom showers, one of them is when Aunties of the bride who had given the bride a name when she was born*, dress the bride. (*Most Ni-Vanuatu have severa...
A day in the garden

Some of the hardest physical days were also some of the best days. Here we are busy planting yam in the family garden.
Bae yu go wea?

I had the amazing and humbling honor to be asked by my high school to speak at their 2011 Commencement. My reflection and experiences are based on my Peace Corps service. Here is the transcript. Principal Harrington, Teachers, members of the School Board, special guests, parents and especially the 2011 graduates, thank you for this honor to speak to you today. Wow, this is weird I just gave a talk like this to a group of students a few months ago…it was in a tiny village thousands of mile...
Happy Children

The children in Vanuatu...carefree, loving and happy. If only we could all take on the world with this hopeful and enthusiastic outlook and just maybe there could be peace on earth.
My mamas and laplap

The beloved Paama Mamas in my village are the foundation for life on the islands. They go to the gardens, cook, wash and look after the children and household with little time for themselves. Their support, love, hard work and perseverance are an inspiration to me.

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