Tongans vow to return following memorable village experience
Tongan brothers Koniseti and Sione Liutai love the Fijians so much that they promise to come every year and help a local school.
The Sydney-based entrepreneurs operate a family business that includes food and security service in Australia and Tonga.
They arrived last Sunday to attend the wedding of their good friend, Parramatta Eels winger Semi Radradra to Vika Fifita at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple at Princes Road near Samabula.
They then accepted an invitation to visit Vutia in Rewa. They also took time to visit the local school, Vutia District School. They were so overwhelmed by the reception they got that they provided a barbecue lunch for the students and teachers, donated $400 to the school and $20 each to the top student of each class from, kindergarten to Year Eight.
“We have been moved by the hospitality that we have started a new relationship with the school. We will go back and look at ways on how we can help the school more, particularly on things that they really need,” Koniseti Liutai said.
Mr Liutai said he was impressed with the positive and happy spirit of the people, young and old alike. “We have learned a lot from what we have experienced here. The Fijians are lovely people. I have passed through Fiji before but this is my first time in a village. This is the real Fiji. Peace and serenity in the village. No sound of cars or other sound you hear in the city. I am looking forward to bringing my family and children here again because they can learn from the local experience,” he said.
He said he was impressed with the developments in the country and accomplishment of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
He said Tonga had a lot to learn from Fiji.
He is in charge of the family business.
His younger brother works for the business and is also the Stake President of Fairfield Stake of the LDS Church in New South Wales.