Everyday we walk the same route to ‘Ahopanilolo. We feel part of the neighbourhood. This week we stopped and introduced ourselves to Leveni. We see him nearly ever day out gardening. He always has a beaming smile and a wave for us so it is good to now be on first name terms. We discovered Leveni is an ex student of our college. He trained in cookery and sewing in the 1990s and even spent time working in Australia. He now lives with his 84 year old aunty. Leveni has had one leg amputated below the knee probably from diabetes so is confined to a wheel chair. But this does not stop him engaging with passers by and making cakes that are sold on his behalf at the market.
Yesterday morning he hailed Kotoni to ask advice. Someone had given him cooked ham and he wanted to prepare something special for the church conference. Gordon returned in the afternoon with some profiteroles, flour, butter and milk. The latter three bought from the supermarket. Kotoni described how to make a savoury filling for the empty profiterole cases. Leveni was thrilled knowing no-one else will have such a dish.
We found out later that his profiteroles had been sent to the king’s table… the smile on his face was indescribable!
What a wonderful story……
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What a beautiful tale. How special for him. A real honour.
.
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Thanks Tracey… special for us all!
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Surprises just keep on coming…..our Kotoni being advisor to food for the king’s table!! Congratulations..xx
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I anticipate hearing of your progression to Tongan royalty or even deity very soon. All hail.
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I have fond memories of meeting Leveni on one of our walks into town. What a glass half full guy.
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