Young Entrepreneurship in Action

“We are embarking in a new frontier” said Naunau ‘oe ‘Alameite Association (NATA) Technical Advisor, Rheema Misser on the opening day of the Wood work, Carving and Handicraft work shop for youth who are living with disability (YLWD) as well as youth who are unemployed last month. “Today we mark the begin of this work where we as people who are living with disabilities can work and earn a living by doing something which we have a talent for and we like.

Thanks for the space that TNYC, NATA and Civil Society Forum Tonga have set up so that YLWD can now come and use this space and be creative and do something that they love and sell this and earn income.

“I love this work” said Sione one of the YLWD that are now grafting his own design at the handicraft workshop “I’m thankful for this project for it has given me direction to move forward. I’m using all my idea to make these beautiful kiekie for women and kava cups. Yes, we need to sales our product but that can come later for now I’m grateful that I’m using my hands to form something beautiful regardless of what the public thinks that I’m a person who is living with disabilities”.

The program is giving opportunity to all youth out of school, youth living with disability who are interested in making handicraft from coconut shell as well as training. The program is looking at expanding toward the direction of wood carving, sewing and jewel making.  Order for kava cups as well as shell for kiekie making are flooding in.  We are doing the work here with our dream of having our own workshop so we can run our own independent small business.  Meanwhile this is the opportunity to kick start this dream said Samu one of our YLWD staff.