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Rebecca and Justin ended their Peace Corps
service on the Tongan island Nomuka in October 2004 and now reside in Hollywood, Florida. Contact them.
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2022 note: Nomuka and its surrounding Tongan islands and their people were severely impacted by the 2022 Hunga Tonga eruption and tsunami. Many houses on Nomuka have been destroyed, as well as most homes on Fonoi and all on Mango. Through GoFundMe, they are collecting funds to provide relief to the people of these islands. Read updates from their daughter, Lucy 'Ofa Ki Nomuka Freedman.
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Rebecca
and Justin were among 16 voho started training in Oct.
2002 for Peace Corps service in Tonlunteers wga in the South Pacific. Following
10 weeks of training, including intensive language classes, staying
with a Tongan family and shadowing an experienced Peace Corps volunteer,
they were posted to Nomuka, an island of 350 residents that can
only be reached by a lengthy boat ride. Justin taught computer skills
and science to secondary school students and Rebecca taught primary
school English.
At the time, Nomuka had no internet connection, only one
phone, electricity a few hours nightly and mail service once a week
by boat.
So
where the heck IS Tonga?? 
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Journal of their life in Tonga
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August
2004:
Friends from New Zealand visit and kayak with them around the
Nomuka group of islands. |
March
2004:
Justin
shares joys and frustrations of living in a different culture. |
December
2003:
Rebecca's
parents and sister visit the couple on Nomuka. |
December
2003:
Justin
explores the high and low points of the past month, including
the advent of electricity and the King's visit. |
November
2003:
Peace
Corps volunteers Erin and Mark, based in the capital, visit
Justin and Rebecca on Nomuka as electricity comes to the island. |
September
2003:
The couple celebrates their first anniversary and reflects on
the past year's experiences. |
May-June
2003:
After six months they're in tune with
Tongan life, until the family that owns the house they're living
in returns to Nomuka and moves in with them. |
April
2003:
Trouble in Paradise: Drunk youths commit murder |
March
2003:
Cousin Nora pays a visit, takes photos of Rebecca teaching |
Feb-March
2003:
PHOTOS taken from video they shot of their daily life on Nomuka,
including farewell party for the previous PCVs, their students,
Sports Day activities, families gathered for a funeral, and
Rebecca performing her first Tongan dance. |
Insights
and stories from the first three months:
Christmas
2002 Adventure Feasts Kava Church
and basketball 'Umu Kayaks The
fat kid Dogs |
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Feb.
2003:
Along with a puppy they begin to settle into their new lives;
a young Tongan dies at sea
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Dec.
2002:
They move into their house on Nomuka and look forward to the
start of their volunteer service
Photos
of their house and homelife, Dec 2003- Jan 2003 |
Oct.
2002:
Journal
begins with observations from first month
About
their training and Peace Corps goals
PHOTOS of their arrival and training period,
Oct-Nov 2002 |
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