The Training of Counselors

The objective is to establish a support system within the Anglican Church in Tonga and in the Diocese of Polynesia that will not be limited to the Disaster Recovery Plan but also provide services within the church for the traumatized and those under crisis and advocates for Mental Health.

THE HALAKIÉMEASI CERTIFICATE 4 COUNSELING COURSE

A teriatry course offered through the Catholic education system which is both nationally and internationally acredited. It prepares and qualifies trainees to perform counseling on a professional standard. Halakiémeasi is translated to the road to Emmaus emphasize on the essence of the two disciples sharing and talanoa as they walk the same pathway.

The Tonga Episcopal Unit with the endorsement of the Archbishop and the Diocesan Training, the funding of the Anglican Missions from the Hunga Tonga Hunga Haápai volcanic eruption has enabled the start training of 8 counselors in Tonga to form a support system that will be readily available for the church and community. Services such as

1. Christian counseling as part of the church programs
2. Crisis counseling as part of the supporting services for men & women.
3. School counseling as part of chaplaincy services to schools
4. Trauma & Psychosocial support to be engaged in the TEU Disaster Recovery Plan

These 8 trainees was selected by each parish vestry by choosing those who would impact in pioneering the services of the church.

1. Mrs. Folau Lasike. (St. Pauls Sunday School)
2. Reverend Tuítalau Hoeft. (All Saints Priest in Charge)
3. Reverend Sela Tuílotolava. (St. Barnabas Priest in Charge)
4. Reverend Paula Fanua (Deacon All Saints)
5. Reverend Talita Fanua. (Deacon All Saints)
6. Reverend Évelini Langi. (St. Pauls Priest)
7. Mrs. Lesieli Koloamatangi (St. Barnabas Sunday School Director & Clergy Spouse)
8. Mrs. Taliangi Leveni. (St. Pauls Sunday School & Clergy Spouse)

ACKOWLEDGEMENT
We thank the Archbishop of the Diocese of Polynesia the Most Reverend Sione Silongo Ululakepa’s for his endorsement and support. The support of Venerable Kensington Fifita and the Tonga Episcopal Unit council.

Reverend Aspasia Vaka which is an essential member of the group for pushing for things to progress. A thank you to Michael Hartfield and the Anglican Missions for funding the start of such a support system though it is in the making we are anxious of what it may become in the future with our Heavenly Father’s guidance and strength.

Malo Áupito