Skateboard Stories

   

 Our days here in Tonga would not be complete without the banging and rolling of skateboards on our front porch.  Sometimes we get a break from the sound when my kids bring them over to the neighbors cemented driveway or they bring them out to the new sidewalks in front of the house.  There's always an instant crowd of kids wanting to try or watch or used as obstacles for Indy to skate around.  They are always amazed when Chris, an adult, skateboards and pops a few tricks for them. The Tongan kids are naturally athletic, competitive daredevils, unfortunately, the sidewalk isn't the best place to teach kids simple moves and the porch definitely isn't!
 
   


       Although a few months in Tonga doesn't make us experts, everyone concerned parent we talk to says the same thing "there is nothing for the kids to do".  Every day as soon as school ends and the hot sun is high in the sky kids can be seen everywhere.  Sitting, walking, standing at shops, teasing, fighting....kids with nothing to do will find something and it's usually not good.  And through talking to some and observing, we notice a lack of personal self worth.  Kids of all ages are generally unsupervised and because of Tonga's community mindset are tossed from family member to family member throughout Tonga and the world.  The kids in Tonga have a limited variety of activities and outlets to put their energies toward and so most get involved in stealing and idolize gangsters.  They start at very young ages and perfect these skills into adulthood.  And although team sports like rugby, volleyball, and basketball are offered here only a select few play.  There's not much else that encourages personal motivation, independence, and fitness.   Skateboarding offers persistence to work at landing that trick and then the reward of actually accomplishing it. Most Tongan kids have seen skateboarding on tv, but never stepped on a board, but within a few short minutes can usually balance and control the board.


       So of course my skateboarding husband chris got to thinking, why not start a camp for kids?  A camp that would teach skateboarding and offer Tonga's first skateboard park.  And why stop there?  He could teach carpentry and eventually offer a variety of skills.  The camp could create opportunities for everyone instead of just wealthier kids who are sent overseas to further learning.  Someone who's never thought of a camera as anything except a tourist accessory would be able to take a class on photography, or develop writing skills, learn to make simple repairs on a home, surfing, or BMX riding.

Dennis showing chris the property for possible  skate camp

house that comes with the property

 









       Almost as long as we've been here we've been looking, waiting, and praying for the right piece of land for this type of camp.  Since we have no funds for this we need a property that wouldn't require rent.  We have land right now that we are in the beginning stages of inquiring about and waiting to have a formal meeting about.  I'm researching how to start a non-profit in another country so we can start applying for grants and funds for this project and reapply for a visa under our non-profit organisation.  Till then, we just got approved TODAY to use the Olympic training facilities down the street  from us to start after school skateboard sessions!  So now I have to print out forms that show the risks and benefits of skateboarding and waivers for the parents.
     We estimate that there will be at least 20-30 kids for the first session.  We have two boards and no safety equipment to start so we're in the process of finding out the best way to get boards, trucks and wheels out here.  Most likely it will be through a New Zealand or Australian company or if we can get someone to round up some used boards to send out .  If anyone's interested, there's a donate button on the side of our blog page, just specify on paypal what the funds are for and will put it towards getting the gear out here.

     We are really excited about this and we would love your prayers.  We want GOD to be above all and through all this because really it's all about HIM.

Our son Indy learning to ollie

watching and waiting their turn

Latu and Soteria picked up skateboarding fast