Shining Out

In the youth parliament of 2008 the number one concern of the youth of Tonga is unemployment and it is still the number 1 issues in 2017.

It is the same line of thinking that is the driving force which has brought Civil Society Forum Tonga (CSFT), Naunau oe ‘Alamaite Tonga (NATA) and Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC) to join force and set up a working area for people who are living with disability so that they will be able to create job, and provide self-employment.

“The idea was thrown around in discussion with the three organizations” said NATA Technical Advisor, Rheema Misser “seeing all the coconut shells that has been left from producing coconut oil. We saw the opportunity where people who are living with disability can come and turn these shells in to something beautiful”.

Today CSFT, NATA and TNYC have set up a working space at the TNYC Virgin Coconut Oil unit facility. “I am surely grateful for this program” said NATA Board Chairmen, Kiteau “Not only it’s allow me to be creative in making product that can be sale in the market but I love this program for it is giving me the opportunity to get out of the house and produce something with my hands”.

The program is giving opportunity to all youth out of school, youth living with disability who are interested in making handy graft from coconut shell as well as training. The program is looking at expanding toward the direction of wood carving and sewing.