De Anza College student, Tevita Tapavalu, left to the island of Tonga this summer with four cases full of clothes. 

When he returned, he barely had one.

Tapavalu, 19, decided to give away his clothes to his family before returning to California, because he wanted to help them have access to something that there is an excess of in America.

The desire to help others is a theme in Tapavalu’s life.

He decided to major in political science after a previous trip to Tonga, where he experienced riots against a corrupt government and felt obligated to do something to help the people.

Tapavalu traveled to Tonga to be a volunteer high school teacher, teaching three subjects: English, world history and issues in specific politics.

While teaching at Apifo’ou High School, he grew attached to his students. One student in particular moved Tapavalu after he learned her life story. At 17, his student had already gone through the death of both of her parents, raising her younger siblings and had lived with her uncle who molested her. Her experiences had lead her to being uninterested in school, but Tapavalu was able to change her views and motivate her through school.

“That is my pay at the end of the day. To get to know someone and be able to give them a push in the right direction. I know that she is college bound,” said Tapavalu.

Besides working as a teacher, Tapavalu spent his summer interning for the premier of Tonga. In the premier’s office, he worked on reviewing different foreign policies and working in the visa and passport departments.

“I went in with an open mind and left more determined than ever,” said Tapavalu.

While in Tonga, Tapavalu volunteered three times a week as a counselor for domestic violence victims.

“It hit close to home and sometimes I couldn’t take it; it just reminded me of everything that I had dealt with. It really helped me get over everything.” he said of his own experiences and counseling. “It helped me deal, and not blame myself.”

Tapavalu was born in New Zealand where he lived for the first half of his life. Tapavalu has also lived a significant of time in Australia and Arizona. After high school, he and his family moved to the Bay Area for more opportunities.

“I’ve learned so much since moving here. I feel like people get me. Everyone is just so open here,” he said.

Here at De Anza, Tapavalu serves as a student senator for the De Anza Associated Student Body. He decided to run for senator after seeing the effects budget cuts had on the Honors Program and the Tutorial Center. Tapavalu and his family moved to the United States for quality education, and the budget cuts inspired him to do something about it to help out not only himself, but also his family and the rest of the college.

“I want to benefit the students as best I can given the position that I’m in. Then I’ll be happy,” he said.

In the DASB Senate, Tapavalu is a part of the Diversity and Events committee. He is fascinated with the diversity that makes up De Anza. 

“You never know what language you’re going to hear as you walk across the campus. That’s what I want to highlight, the campus diversity. If we experience it, we can have a better college life,” said Tapavalu.

One part of college life that Tapavalu wants students to experience is football through the DASB-sponsered event, the Football Tailgate Party which will be held on Oct. 23. Tapavalu, a former rugby player, is excited to be a part of the planning process for the event.

“I want everyone to have a good time while supporting the football team and sharing a sense of unity,” he said.

After college, Tapavalu plans to return to Tonga and become an advocate for democracy reform on the island, hoping to help preserve the simple lifestyle of the island and protect its beauty.