TYEE to work in collaboration with Seleka International Art Society Initiative (SIASI)

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.