Sela is a second generation Tongan-Australian from Yass in NSW. After completing her HSC in 2009. She is spending her first 12 months out of school working alongside our Church Partner in Tonga, the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga, tutoring students in English language skills.

Sela currently works at one of the Church’s main secondary schools, Queen Solate College, as an English teacher assistant. With a strong grasp of Tongan language and “anga faka Tonga” (the Tongan way) she has already proven to be an excellent fit for the school.

This school is the main Secondary girls’ school supported by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. It is a well established school near the capital of Nuku’alofa. Tonga has a high unemployment rate, and education is vital for the future employment of young people. A good knowledge of the English language is also vital as classes and exams at all schools are conducted in English.

This means that although students might know the content of a subject well, their English language skills are causing problems at school. Sela’s placement is working to improve employment rates in the Pacific island nation by tutoring students in English.

As well as improving the future employment prosects of local Tongan youths, Sela loves the challenge of being truly immersed in Tongan culture, and continues to enjoy learning from her new friends.

“It’s great boarding with the students and the other teachers here at the school,” said Sela.

“The memory of working with Queen Solate is something that will always stay with me.”