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FROM A small BEGINNING. HOW THE MORONI SCHOOL BEGAN.
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Started in July 21, 1969; when Mr Waitea Ataria, a former government teacher, started a school called the AKAS to provide educational opportunities for the unfortunate 95% youngsters who would normally be unable to receive an education beyond their primary schools.
The name he chose had historical and sacred significance. The land on which Waitea’s new school was located, was part of a section known as Tabuarorae (the sacred place). • WaterWaitea chose the elementary school Auriaria Kokoi Ataria School (AKAS). • Tabuarorae is considered sacred; Visitors to Tarawa atoll were brought there to drink of the well before they do anything else.
With the creation of AKAS in 1969, the precious gift of education became available to a few more I-Kiribati children. Between forty to seventy students, who would not have had the opportunity for an elementary-education, attended AKAS each year. Under the leadership of Waitea, students of AKAS were directed towards further education and a brighter future.
THE DREAM AKAS HASTO FACE. • In the same year the school was established, many people from Eita village had a dream. In their dream they saw events pertaining to Waitea’s building a school at this location. A woman of the village named Monika, approached Waitea and all the other elders of the village saying, “You know we feel very sorry because there was a vision we saw in a dream; we saw Tabuarorae burning. There was a huge smoke rising from this school into the sky.”
After discussing about the dream the people of the village:concluded that there was going to be trouble in that area. They concluded that • “You must pack all your stuff and leave this place, because the people of the village have all seen the vision of the smoke rising into the sky from this place.”
Then Waitea’s father said to the woman: “The dream you dreamed is a good dream, it means that God’s great power will connect with this area… So go back to your friends and tell them not to worry, but to be happy. The vision is a vision of something that will be established in this area which will benefit the people of this country. This is not a minor project; it’s a major project, and will be backed up by a power which we do not know.”
“ We are very grateful today to officially open this school on the day of victory. This is the day of victory for the United States, for they are the first Human nation to land on the moon with Apollo 11. So as the day of victory of the United States, this school will be backed up by the States in the future… • We are human’s with less ability but we open this campus for those who will come after us.”
In 1972, Mr Waitea made his first contact with the CES or Church Educational System through Superintendent of the schools in Tonga; George Puckett. • Letter sent to Anton Wade • 2 more letters sent • Third letter – letters from students Brother Maxwell (CES Commissioner), and Wade concluded that there would be an investigation.
So Brother Maxwell instructed Wade, to go to Tarawa to obtain firsthand information about the matter. Without notifying Waitea Wade made his way to the AKAS campus and meet Waitea standing facing his wall. When Waitea turned and saw Brother Wade he was startled, not knowing who he was. When Wade introduced himself, Waitea embraced him and broke down in tears of gratitude. • Brother Wade took a look at the facilities and students; and observed the primitive nature of the school, he returned to Salt Lake and reported his findings. Then the final decision made was to authorized a few students of AKAS to attend Liahona High School.
CONCLUSION • In 1973 the first 12 students were sent to Liahona High School. • On 16 October, 1975, six students returned to introduced the gospel… A year after the gospel was introduced, Grant Howletts and his wife and children arrived on Tarawa to assist AKAS. • On 30 April, 1976, AKAS was changed to Moroni Community School. The enrollment was then increased to 85 students. • The school has grown to over 600 students.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” - 3 John 1:4
In 1972, Mr Waitea made his first contact with the CES or Church Educational System through Superintendent of the schools in Tonga; George Puckett. He outlined in his intensions – he desired to have sixty students from the graduating class of elementary school to attend any schools that would except them. He reasoned that if the students would not have further education, they would not be given any chance in Kiribati… When George C. Puckett received the letter and read, he sent the letter to Alton L. Wade (Salt Lake City, the Zone Administrator for the Pacific Area). But Wade put the letter aside. Two or three months latter the second latter arrived again to Puckett form Waitea. Then the third letter was sent, this time the letter was accompanied by thirty-five to forty letters by the students of AKAS… • Brother Maxwell (CES Commissioner), and Wade concluded that there would be an investigation.
After discussing about the dream the people of the village concluded that there was going to be trouble in that area. They concluded that Waitea and his family are cursed and they would die for building a school on that holy ground…Monika then approached Waitea’s father with a warning: “You must pack all your stuff and leave this place, because the people of the village have all seen the vision of the smoke rising into the sky from this place.”
