WE DID IT AGAIN! TYEE GO GREEN! SWAP our home, our future, our responsibility. 
by Olive Mafi, GO GREEN! Coordinator.

With another successful SWAP Event and over 40 youth participants, volunteers and staff, we strive for consistency and sustainability. During the preparation for our SWAP Event we came across an eye-opening moment with our GO GREEN! Volunteers.

One of our volunteers, male, 31 years of age from Nukuhetulu is currently a “Setuata” (Church caretaker) in his church and is desperate to find work and willing to do whatever it takes to support his family at this time of struggle.  He shares on how TYEE GO GREEN! became his refuge from all the personal challenges that his currently going through.  With this experience, it is clear who we are to the youth and what we stand for. To our young people, TYEE GO GREEN! is dubbed as ESSENTIAL SERVICES. The backbone they run to in times of struggle, confusion and when they are in desperate need of support. 

We pride ourselves in our ability to make a difference in the world and although we are a self-funded youth NGO, we still managed to become that strong support system to our young people. 

One of the many highlights from this SWAP Event is our debate. “Should the youth be more involved to a point they are able to lead climate change-related initiatives in Tonga”.  Although some of the youth shared that some issues facing the youth nowadays are lack of commitment and goal setting. One of the countering opinions to this point is, “...we say many times that the youth are the root causes of social problems, but that’s only some of us, the rest of us are actually committed and hard workers” 

From November 2019 to August 2020 we have catered for more than 200 youth participants and probably reduced clothing wastes by a significant percentage given the amount of clothes we SWAP each fortnightly event.  We obtain more than 100 pieces of unwanted clothing each event times 7 SWAP events since November and that is how many clothing wastes that could have potentially affected our environment if not for the consistency and determination of TYEE GO GREEN! SWAP. 

Given that the work we do positively impacts the country in general, although our contribution may not make up 1% of the country’s global contribution to climate change, but we remain committed and we believe we are making such a big difference and thus, it’s only fit, that initiatives such as these get the recognition and support it deserves to continue to cater for the many unemployed youths out there but most importantly, to securing a healthy, clean, green environment.

TYEE GO GREEN! our home, our future, our responsibility. 

 
​“I feel like as a young entrepreneur it was important to join this event to show other youth to embrace their creativity” Kalisi Tu’itavake, 21, Kolomotu’a. (Winner, The Best Youth Market Stall Presentation)

To conclude the TYEE Youth Market & Zumba Competition Event on Saturday, 5th September with over 200 people at the Digicel Square. We just keep getting bigger and better.

We had to limit our registrations due to the venue capacity verses the outpouring interests from the youth.  But that did not stop them because not only did this number doubled, they were motivated and full of energy.  The TYEE Youth Market catered for 25 youth entrepreneurs and this is what they had to say about the event.

“I feel awesome, because I had collected many profits”, Tevita & Suliana, 20 and 23 years of ages, Fangaloto.

“Anything could be sold here”, Hala Hakeai, 21, Kolomotu’a

“I felt excited because I get to sell all my products which are food”, Susanne Fakalata, 26, Ma’ufanga.

“Kou fiefia he tokoni ki hono fakamaketi’i atu emau ngaahi maketi”, Tu’amelie ‘Anitoni, 28, Ma’ufanga.

The TYEE Youth Market as well as the Zumba Competition went hand in hand to expose the best talents in our country, offer the people with a more “fun” approach to physical exercise as well as empowering the youth of Tonga. From a variety of entertainment, food products to clothes to hand sewn swimming wears to pot plants, handicrafts, and local produce crops - these youth came out of their hiding places and proved that they too can make it in a hostile business environment.

With over 20 groups registered to compete for TYEE Zumba Competition. We had people from all over Tongatapu at Digicel Square. Not only did they differ in terms of where they came from, but also in terms of their ages, religion, status, and occupation. It was a family day event, were the people came over to enjoy great food, amazing company, and exceptional services.

We would like to acknowledge the winner for our Zumba Competition; the Ministry of Finance with 20 participants, they came to win.  We highlight this involvement in terms of setting the example to our people and to our youth. We must be the example if we want people to follow. So, it’s crucial that their participation did not only mean they’re on board with the movement against NCDs in Tonga, they wanted to support the work of the youth of TYEE GO GREEN! and that goes a long way.
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We strongly encourage this form of support from our Government Ministries as they bring a message that speaks volume to our youth, and that is “YOU ARE NOT ALONE”. 

The Winners and their Prize Packages can be viewed on here [Click to view]

With COVID-19 what the youth in our country need is support and reassurance that we are not alone. That although the responsibility of our country’s future is on our shoulders, but our government, our businesspeople, our communities are right there with us, supporting us to build the eco-friendly, successful future we all look forward to.

TYEE Go Green! our home, our future, our responsibility. 

We wish to thank and acknowledge our Judges for this Event, Mr. Sevaki Fe'ao (Senior Program Officer, Tonga Health), Christine Lopeti (Representative of Rise-n-Shine Australia), and Virginie Dourlet (Teacher, Tonga High School). The Auditor, Pisila Kainga (MEIDECC).

We are grateful for all the business people including our Sponsors who also share this message to our youth.

• Digicel Group for availing the venue as well as donating gift packs towards the event. 

 

• RISE & SHINE AUSTRALIA our Gold Sponsor for their generosity, donations, and sponsorships. They have become a strong right hand to push and encourage the youth. It is very much appreciated. 

 

• To the Ministry of Internal Affairs for sponsoring our hire items of tents, tables, and chairs. We highlight your support as every penny towards TYEE is divided and spread right across the TYEE initiatives for the development of the youth of Tonga to reach the vulnerable and the majority. 

 

• Tonga Health for sponsoring prizes towards the event as part of encouraging healthy lifestyle and leading the movement against NCDs in Tonga.

 

• To South Pacific Mozuku Tonga Ltd for utilising TYEE GO GREEN! Volunteers to promote and sell their seaweed products and donating percentages of each sale towards the work we do. We welcome support in different forms and not only are we delighted to expand exposure of this product throughout Tonga, you are also allowing for our young talents to sharpen their sales and marketing skills, build their confidence as well as an opportunity for them to learn more of the products. All the SPM products were sold out at the event. We are open to extending our services to all business people who need this form of assistance. We work better when we work together. 

 

• Frangipani Korean Restaurant, and the Holtys Hideaway Cafe Ha’atafu for their donations of meal vouchers. Non-Tongan small business owners see the value of collaborating with TYEE. We are glad that through our events we get to give back to our business communities by driving customers to their respective restaurants and promoting their businesses right throughout our platforms. “It’s a give and take”. We do not like to only take; we go out of our way to ensure we give back to all parties that show support towards the youth and the work TYEE does. 

 

• SCH Lawyers Ltd for their constant support towards not only TYEE GO GREEN! but the organisation in general.

 

• Bank of the South Pacific Tonga for the TYEE GO GREEN! Volunteers’ T-shirts and caps. ​

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• What’s On In Tonga (WOIT) for promoting TYEE’s events on WOIT newsletter. 

“FANTASTIC", I was happy to attend this SWAP event because I met different youths and plus, I’ve learned of the advantage of SWAP and how to keep our environment clean and we youth can lead as well.” -Malia Kavaefiafi, 23, Lapaha. 

We ended the month of August with another successful SWAP Event on Friday, 28th August for TYEE GO GREEN! our home, our future, our responsibility. The TYEE GO GREEN! SWAP Event operates on its own on a fortnightly basis.  Although the event started at 12:00 midday, the GO GREEN! Volunteers and team were ready in the Taufa'ahau Village 3 hours prior, putting our heads together to set up and decorate the venue to give our participants the experience of a lifetime. 

To think with COVID-19 the youth would be a bit reluctant to participate but it was the complete opposite. From Nukuleka, Talasiu, Ha’akame, ‘Anana, Fangaloto and elsewhere. This GO GREEN! SWAP Event had youth participants from all over Tongatapu. 

This highlights the value we hold to these youth that would easily bring them from afar just to participate in a 2hr program they are unfamiliar with. Like the participant mentioned earlier, “FANTASTIC” is the term to sum up this event. 

From 2011, 38% of our population belongs to the youth, which is most of our population. Imagine if we encouraged all this 38% to take responsibility of our futures by promoting a green clean environment and utilize their talents to create new jobs, the impact it would have in our health and the type of future we will be creating for our children and the future generations will be 100 times fold. We found a way to encourage and inspire the youth of Tonga, but we can only make do with the little we got. 

Step by step, we have grown and develop, and we have molded a team of committed, hardworking and passionate young leaders who are determined to better and make a difference in the world. We ended the event again on a high note and consistency is key. TYEE GO GREEN! has been and will continue to deliver and serve the youth of Tonga and create an enjoyable healthy future for our country.  

We acknowledge the constant support and generosity from Amelia Vallabh of JR Properties Ltd/ Taufa'ahau Village who enables the event to take place. This is the example of the commitment, consistency, and consideration from our local business community that we highlight to the youth and they look up to. 

Hard work and excellence go both ways. From the youth and GO GREEN team as well as we hope it would be from the business communities. 

GO GREEN! Our home, our future, our responsibility. 

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​We wish to thank Bernadette Paletua, Owner/Director of Rise-n-Shine Australia for not only a Gold Sponsor of Prizes in Cash and Gifts for TYEE Events and Competitions, but also for their recent and generous kind donation of goods of which our organisation – Tonga Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (TYEE) received;

• TYEE Staff work poloshirts printed with TYEE logo
• A4 Laminator and Laminating Pouches
• BBQ with BBQ accessories 
• 10x Fold-up tables
• 24x Fold-up chairs
• 8x Aprons embroided with TYEE logo
• Cooking utensils and kitchen supplies
• Boxes of toilet rolls, facial tissues and hand towels
• Boxes of hand sanitizers, disinfected sprays and cleaning products
• Boxes of gloves and wipes
• 8x Clothes' Racks

Rise-n-Shine Australia is an experienced commercial cleaning business established in 2009 and they are currently working with great team and based in the West of Melbourne.  They pride themselves on trusts, honesty, integrity and team work to achieve the best results for all their customers' needs, such as the well known Melbourne University Colleges. You can learn more about Rise-n-Shine from their website on here.

TYEE is a not-for-profit organisation which provides work readiness and life skills training and mentoring to youth who are looking for employment in Tonga.  We assist youth aged 18 – 35 years to find jobs, access training opportunities, or to start their own small businesses through our youth entrepreneurship initiatives with GO GREEN!  We place a particular emphasis on those young people who, due to personal circumstances, left school early and are considered school “drop outs”.

The donations which Rise-n-Shine donated have now been stored in our storage and in our Nuku’alofa Office, to be utilised by our management and staff, youth members and volunteers during office hours and at our regular TYEE Events.  

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Bernadette Paletua, and her Team back in Melbourne, Australia, who we understand were instrumental in organizing this generous donation for the benefit of a not-for-profit and non-government organisation like ours in Tonga. It is the support from international business-people such as Bernadette Paletua of the Rise-n-Shine Australia that goes a long way to enabling TYEE Initiatives to reach out to the vulnerable and the majority of the youth unemployment community and their families to empower them to step up and be inspired because of their futures.

We are most grateful for the generosity of Rise-n-Shine, and we wish to extend the gratitude of our Board, staff and youth members.  We hope that this will be an ongoing friendship between our two organisations in the coming years.