Learning Spaces
Friends of Tonga provides weather-resistant classrooms for early-childhood education. The need for these schools became increasingly important for two reasons: climate change and genuine need from communities to implement early-childhood education. We are partnering with with the Tonga Ministry of Education, Civil Society Forum of Tonga, and Schools for the Children of the World (CSW)
Prior to 2021, there was no formalized early-childhood education programming in Tonga. Rather, kindergartens (kintis in Tongan), were either owned by non-governmental schools or by individuals in communities, both of which were operated on a fee for service basis. With the Ministry of Education formally integrating early-childhood education into their curriculum, all government schools had to provide teachers and space for kindergarten programming. Many communities were creative in the way they provided space for their new kindergarten classrooms; however, not all were safe or conducive for successful classroom instruction.
Likewise, with the increase of extreme weather events, across the Pacific region, the need for cyclone and earthquake resistant classrooms is becoming more apparent. Not only do weather-resistant structures provide a consolidation point for students and teachers during extreme-weather events, but it also allows for fewer days missed after the storm has passed.
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Help our people-powered organization build more learning spaces for Tongan kids!
Ta’anga Kindergarten
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Construction Complete 2021
In 2018, Cyclone Gita hammered the Kingdom of Tonga. It was the worst weather event to hit Tonga in recent memory. The damage wrought was incredible. The village of Taâanga approached us to see if we could rebuild their kindergarten, which was destroyed by the cyclone. It was the only kindergarten on that side of the island.
The local kindergarten teacher, Finau Tahi, had worked for many years to start her own kindergarten. She finally got it running in 2017, only to have it destroyed just one year later. From Cyclone Gita’s landfall until this project’s completion, students were learning out of a UNICEF tent.
In 2021, we officially completed construction of the Taâanga kindergarten and instruction and learning is well underway! This structure is cyclone and earthquake resistant, equipped with its own bathroom and septic tank, and is furnished with furniture specifically made for early-childhood education.
Tuâanuku Kindergarten
đ Vavaâu Island Group â Â Construction Complete 2026
In 2024, Friends of Tonga partnered with the Civil Society Forum of Tonga and Schools For Children of the World to address a critical educational need in the village of Tuâanuku, located in the northern island group of Vavaâu. The village needed a safe, reliable facility for its youngest learners, specifically designed to withstand the harsh coastal elements on a steep slope facing the ocean.
We officially broke ground in November 2024. After over a year of dedicated construction and collaborative effort, the project was successfully completed.
On February 2, 2026, the new kindergarten opened its doors. The ceremony was attended by community leaders and local representatives from the Ministry of Education. In a highlight of the day, Peace Corps Volunteer Maya M. officially cut the ribbon to declare the school open.
This school is designed to be cyclone and earthquake resistant, providing the security of knowing that, regardless of the elements, the children will always have a stable place to learn.
This project was made possible by a remarkable global partnership. Funding and materials were provided by The Atlas Foundation, Edrington, and Giovanni Manu (Detroit Lions) and Charles Piutau (formerly of the Bristol Bears). The school was fully equipped with specialized furniture donated by Perfect Beginnings Montessori Childrenâs House, along with the collective generosity of hundreds of individual donors from around the world.
