The Talitha Project provides Tongan youth with

The Talitha Project works with the Australian Government and Australian organisations to help adolescent girls develop economic skills to contribute to a stronger economy and society. The Tonga Young Women Economic Resilience (TYWER) Project is part of this initiative, supported by the Australian NGO Partnership Program (ANCP).

TYWER is being piloted in three locations: two communities on the main island of Tongatapu and at St Joseph’s Community College in Haapai. The project, initiated by Cardinal Thorn Partita Penny Mafi, will see each school have a sewing centre.

Fifteen students (13 girls and two boys) are learning about financial literacy, including how to save and use loans to increase income.

Participant Siutiti Faka’osifoalu, 16, from St. Joseph Community College shared, “I am so grateful to be a part of TYWER. I love learning about financial literacy, how to budget and save. This program helps our young girls set goals and manage their finances responsibly.”