This article was first published in GGGI Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network website on 13th October 2021 

NUKU’ALOFA, Wednesday 13th October 2021: Today marked a unique joint implementation of the Global Green Growth Institute’s (GGGI) Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) Program with their local partner on the ground, Tonga Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (TYEE). The MoU was signed virtually by Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Director-General of GGGI and Lusia Latu-Jones, President/Director of TYEE.

The MoU will facilitate strategic partnership and close collaboration between GGGI and TYEE to promote sustainable development in Tonga through the GGGI Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network Program that seeks to deliver economic growth that is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive, in support of green job growth through green entrepreneurship, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Climate Agreement.

“We are excited with this unique joint implementation of the Tongan version of the Pacific Greenpreneurs program with TYEE, “MAFOA ‘A E ATA – Youth Innovation Challenge” as a collaboration between TYEE, Breadfruit Consulting and GGGI”, said Ms. Latu-Jones.

The 3-year PGEN program is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development and implemented by GGGI. PGEN aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses - contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

The MoU was also followed with the signing of the Consultant Contract with TYEE’s Tonga Green Entrepreneurs Consultant, Ms. Latu-Jones who will be providing Tonga participants with more information on the program, which will start in early November 2021. 

The MoU is effective from the date of signing. GGGI and TYEE will continue to communicate effectively through regular consultations to revise ongoing cooperation activities and identify opportunities and follow-up activities for enhancing collaboration.

About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):
Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports governments of developing countries to transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in over 40 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects, and publications can be found on www.gggi.org. You can also follow GGGI on Twitter and join us on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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About Tonga Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship
Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship Inc. (TYEE) is a non-government organization established in 2014 which provides youth services aimed at helping young school leavers aged 18 to 35 to gain meaningful employment or become successful entrepreneurs through skills development and mentorship support. TYEE seeks to promote green entrepreneurship and innovation as a viable career path for aspiring young entrepreneurs. More on TYEE’s events and publications can be found on www.tyeetonga.org. You may also follow TYEE on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and LinkedIn.

Throughout the course of her career, she perfected her applicant qualification and recruitment abilities. She is a capable and consistent problem-solver skilled at prioritising and managing projects with proficiency.

In her previous role, she contributed critical thinking, customer service, and talent management toward team efforts and business improvements. She’s progressive minded and in tune with new developments in her field. She has proven to be effective and collaborative with strong leadership talents. She enjoys collective brainstorming sessions which allow her to coordinate activities to achieve a common goal.
In this challenging time of the pandemic, the need for us to invest in finding the most qualified, innovative, and talented local professionals to fulfil these key senior positions is of the utmost value. We are delighted with our finding, and we welcome Veili to our TYEE family.
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We look forward to re-connecting with past clients, strengthening the relationships with the existing ones, and welcoming potential new customers.

For all your new Staffing needs and Job Searching needs, or to book an appointment for a confidential free consultation - please do not hesitate to contact Veili Fuapau, and her Recruitment Support Team at TYEE on telephone 685-5259 / 770-6340 / 842-5259, Email: recruitmentconsultant.tyee@gmail.com

NUKU'ALOFA, 2 September 2021. In a meeting at TYEE Head Office, Mataika to confirm TYEE & SELEKA's strategic collaborative arrangements both wanted to see both organisations flourish so they could do more for the young people/youth of Tonga, not only here in Tongatapu but to include the outer islands. They both believe that with the right support system in place and opportunities – the sky will not be the limit.

“Koe LANGA NGAUE ‘oku fakahoko ‘i Tonga ni na’e kamata’aki pe mei he me’a na’e ma’u ‘i hona nima.  Both the founders and their respective organisations started their work in Tonga from scratch”.

SELEKA

Tevita Latu is a prominent Tongan artist and Founder of Seleka International Art Society Initiative (SIASI). Seleka International Art Society Initiative was founded by Tevita Latu in 2008 aimed at promoting art and encouraging youth artists in Tonga. 

Tevita Latu had a chance to study art in Australia and he always promised himself that when he would return to Tonga he would teach Tongans about art, and the Seleka initiative was the result.

Although Seleka lost their initial art space to cyclone Gita, this did not harm Tevita and his team’s spirit – they rebuilt an art space in Tevita’s home and started an art movement here in Tonga. Tevita’s vision for Seleka is “to go to the poorest village and teach art to the young kids there”. On Seleka’s Facebook page “about section” it reads, “Enrichment of young people in the Arts”.

Tevita Latu of Seleka, and the Director of TYEE Lusia Latu-Jones came together at this challenging time with shared passion, goals, and motivation for the development, empowerment, and enrichment of the young people/youth of Tonga through their respective organisations.

TYEE

TYEE was established in 2014 with the aim to help young school-leavers aged 18 to 35 to address youth unemployment in Tonga.  Through relevant work-readiness & life skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and mentorship support. TYEE vision is “to be the leading support service organisation in youth employment and youth entrepreneurship in Tonga”.

We recognize art as one of the relevant components to incorporate to TYEE’s program activities, and we are pleased for Seleka as our local partner at work. This is to encourage youth talents, creative thinking, imagination, innovation, and creativity in the youth without fear due to limitations of cultural and academic barriers as they make their decisions for their career paths, world of work, and business through entrepreneurship and innovation challenge. After all, the children of today are the future leaders, innovators,  job creators, etc. of our country!

We are honored to work in partnership with Tevita Latu and Team Seleka to offer the relevant opportunities and support to our participating young people.  We look forward to developing this valuable partnership and seeing what tomorrow will bring to our journey and movement, together. 

TYEE was pleased to join the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and other relevant stakeholders for this year's International Youth Day 2021 (IYD 2021) celebrations at Falemasiva Hall, Tailulu College on Thursday, 12th August 2021. The celebration was an opportunity for the Tonga Government to officially launch the first ever Tonga National Youth Policy and the Strategic Plan 2021 to 2025 to commemorate the IYD. The Guest of Honour was the Speaker of Tonga Parliament, Lord Fakafanua who also received the official copy of the Policy and Strategic Plan from the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Ministry who is responsible for the Youth Development Division of Tonga. The Policy identities five key priority areas vital to support of youth development in Tonga. 

The theme for this year's International Youth Day (IYD) was localised by the Youth Stakeholder's Forum to fit the purpose as; "Healthy Youth, Healthy Tonga" (Ko e To'utupu Mo'uilelei, Tonga Mo'uilelei).

Tonga youth stakeholders and youths also participated in a booth competition to commemorate the International Youth Day 2021 with the theme "Healthy Youth, Healthy Tonga" which is in line with the international day theme: “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”.  TYEE was pleased to be awarded with the First Prize, T$1000 Cash for Best Booth proudly sponsored by the South Pacific Community (SPC) Fiji. The TNYC won the second prize, and Live & Learn won the third prize.

TYEE also celebrated the IYD with a Youth Fashion Show to showcase some of our youth entrepreneurs' talents, skills and creativity in fashion, graphic designing, makeup, hairstyling, kupesi (Tongan cultural designs), tattoos and much more. 

TYEE was honored to host our youth Fashion Designer/Entrepreneur for this fashion show, Ms Lavinia Fehoko who was the winner of TYEE Youth Fashion Designer Competition from last year 2020, also a registered youth entrepreneur and participant in TYEE Youth Innovation (Mafoa 'A e Ata) Challenge 2021.  Through effective collaborations to showcase the local participating youth entrepreneurs talents and expertise, the fashion show also highlighted some of the Tongan kupesi being used on the designer's clothes by Mr. Taleta Maka of 'Otu Felenite Tattoo & Barber Shop. This is a local Tongan tattoo artist who specializes in Polynesian Art and Designs.

There were two categories, Tradition Wear and Formal Wear chosen by the Youth Fashion Designer, Ms. Lavinia Fehoko to honour the Tonga youth on this International Youth Day, to wear the clothes with pride and to celebrate the youth of their achievements.

Also acknowledging the back stage assistants and models who lend us a hand to put up a great and entertaining fashion show.

1. Hair stylist & Make Up: Ms. Paea Manu and  Christina Latu
2. Female Models: Ms. Lute Ofanoa, Tania Silakivai, Kalolaine Fau, Maile Malimali, Katinia 'Aisake.
3. Male Models: Teolosia Falemaka, Sione Tupou, Semisi Vaioleti.

We would like to thank all our staff, volunteers, families and friends for all their assistants and support, with you, we all did it.

I didn’t pay much attention to sewing at first, because I used to believe that sewing is only for old people and also I wanted to pursue in the field of Information Technology (IT). When I started to sew I was actually scared and very shy because I didn’t want my colleagues and friends to label me as the sewer but little did I know my future awaited me but I didn’t realise at the time. However, my very own inspiration came from my mother who has been sewing our clothes ever since I was a child. My mother told me once, “Sofaia you will be safe in sewing because you’ll be your own boss and also be able to provide for your own family when that time comes”.

With that encouragement from the most hardworking person in our household I then decided to take a sewing class for one year of 6 courses. It was a challenge because I never studied about sewing in high school. And also I was the only youth in this class and the rest were mothers and married women. Being in the class with women whose 10years older than I am was not very encouraging at first yet very helpful in the end. This was just last year and now I am looking at the outcome of risking that challenge and I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone not listening to what others said and completed my sewing courses.

These shopping bags were made from the recycled clothes that were not being swapped by the youth at our ongoing Go Green SWAP Project events. From these clothes I used bits and pieces from various clothes just to create one bag. To be honest this is not an easy task to do. Because I had to spend time on matching these various clothes regarding colours and styles for a bag to look attractive. Also, I must be incredibly careful with the material that I choose to utilise for not every fabric is suitable for a bag. Mind you one bag is not made from one piece of clothing. It consist at least six different pieces of clothing to create one. To patch these various clothing materials, I had to be cautious when I sew them because I did not want to ruin one piece for that will not make the bag complete. But the best thing about these bags production is that these clothes are not completely new, they are recycled clothes. There were some that had stains and some were torn so I had to use the only part that wasn’t torn or stained to come up with different patterns, designs, and complete bags.  What a fun experience that was!

These bags are created for us to utilise for shopping, church, school instead of using plastic bags. This is our contribution to the betterment of our environment for we all know the damage these plastic bags do to our environment. This is not an easy task as I mentioned earlier because not a lot of youth has the knowledge and the skills to sew from used clothes not brand new fabrics. Not only that it is a challenge to create a different design from its original. To be honest sewing is easy and quite fast I should say but it consists a lot of time in terms of creativity.
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Looking at the final product I have finally made I’m glad to convey a vote of thanks to my Teacher Mrs. Maopa Finau for all the help and encouragement you have given me throughout the time we spend during the sewing course. Not only that I’d like to say a huge Thank you to my parents for always having my back on every step of the way that brought me to TYEE today. Also a vote of thanks to TYEE for the chance I am given to showcase my love and passion towards sewing. ​[by Miss S. Kivalu, 21 years old].

Your support and purchase will be re-invested into each project to help us to develop our youth entrepreneurs, create more jobs, and start more youth businesses during these challenging times while we contribute to our environment. Our concept:  waste reduction, affordability, sustainability.

​TYEE Office
From Alaivahamama'o Bypass Rd,
Turn into Hekoni Rd (Hala ki Pili), take the first Right turn, then take the first Left turn. 
Mataika, Nuku'alofa.

​Tel: +676 685-5259  Mobile: +676 770-6340 / 842-5259
Email: hello@tyeetonga.org  
​Monday to Friday:  9am - 4pm (Except Public Holidays)