After the tsunami – supporting Tongan youth 1 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minuteNew Zealand Tongan communities are rallying together to support the people of Tonga after the terrible eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano and the devastating tsunami that followed.
To’utupu Tonga Trust/Tongan Youth Trust, (TYT), based in Māngere, is appealing for financial donations to help affected youth in Tonga. The Trust is working alongside Government agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs) and their community network in planning and organizing services that can be provided to youth in Tonga, as well as here in New Zealand.
In the first week after the disaster, as an immediate emergency response, the Trust worked closely with the newly-formed Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee, set up specifically for the emergency to coordinate emergency donations of food and water – by sending three containers-worth to Tonga.
After the initial emergency response, the Trust is looking at other more long-term initiatives to supporting their youth in Tonga in the aftermath of the disaster. Simulata Pope (Lata), Trust secretary, says they want to re-build youth centres and basketball courts, including replacing destroyed resources (such as books and stationery) for youth-centred organisations, youth-friendly spaces, and the centre for Women and Children.
“We are rallying our Tongan youth champions together here in New Zealand, to help our young people in Tonga,” she says.
To find out more, go to tonganyouth.org.nz, or email Simulata Pope (Lata) on simulatapope@gmail.com.
Donate directly to To’utupu Tonga Trust account no: 12-3014-0000435-00
The Tongan Youth Trust is rallying support for their youth in Tonga
