Peace Corps Projects
The Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) facilitates connections between Volunteers, their communities, and donors in the United States and worldwide to fund community-initiated and led projects. Since its inception in 1964, the Peace Corps Partnership Program has facilitated thousands of community-initiated grant activities, positively impacting the lives of millions of people around the world.
In 2019 alone, the PCPP supported 930 projects in 57 countries, positively impacting the lives of 1.5 million individuals worldwide. These projects span a diverse range of initiatives, from facilitating training programs to renovating schools and health centers.
We proudly support both Peace Corps Volunteers and their communities across Tonga.
Clean Learning Environment Project
Initiative by Katarina E.
📍 Ta’anga, ‘Eua Island 
Project Complete 📅 January – February 2025 💵 $1,913.81 USD in funding
This project aimed to repair the primary school grounds to improve students’ learning conditions. Over the years, primary schools had fallen into disrepair, resulting in an environment that was not entirely conducive to learning. School grounds and infrastructure had deteriorated, affecting students’ learning. This had been a cause of concern for the school and the community; therefore, they were eager and ready to work together to create a safer school. As part of this project, school staff were oriented and trained on the proper use, maintenance, and storage of the equipment and the school to ensure longevity.
Students at the school came from three different communities who had all played an essential role in securing a safer and cleaner school for their children. These communities participated in various meetings and discussions, planning, fundraising, and other opportunities for funding assistance. This grant proposal was initiated by the Parent Teacher Association, which also implemented, monitored, and sustained the project. With this funding, the community was better able to support their children’s education and ensure a safe and clean learning environment.
Pictured (1-3): The Ta’anga Government Primary School (GPS) before grant activities began.
Pictured (4-7): The rejuvenated school environment following the grant’s completion.
Water Sanitation and Security Project
Initiative by Sarah Beth H.
📍 Holeva, Vava’u Island Group Project Complete 📅 March 2025 💵 $4,357.91 USD in funding
This project aimed to provide a sustainable solution for safe drinking water to a community that relied entirely on rainwater as its sole freshwater source. The project sought to achieve this by acquiring a pressure washer, water pump generator, and ladders to facilitate the cleaning of roof gutters and water tanks within the village.
At the time, there were no resources or services available on the island to clean and maintain rainwater collection systems. As a result, many water tanks, some of which had gone uncleaned for over 30 years, had become contaminated, causing illness and rendering the water unsafe for consumption. These tanks remained the community’s only source of freshwater.
This grant enhanced water security and public health by equipping community members with the skills and tools needed to maintain and preserve rainwater harvesting systems effectively.
This initiative not only addressed an urgent need but also enhanced community self-reliance by building the capacity to manage essential infrastructure through ongoing workshops. By providing a long-term solution to a pressing challenge, the project significantly improved the overall well-being and resilience of the community.
Pictured: Sarah Beth H. and photos of the project in progress.
Safe and Healthy School Grounds Project
Initiative by Ashlynn A.
📍 Faleloa, Ha’apai Island Group Project Complete 📅 August – November 2025 💵 $2,803.36 USD in funding
The project provided essential materials to repair and extend the school’s perimeter fence, which was a critical need. Stray animals wandering onto school grounds posed a significant threat, from aggressive behavior and health risks to the destruction of the school’s vegetable garden, a vital source of food for students and teachers.
A new fence was the clear solution, designed to create a safe, secure environment for students, staff, and families while protecting the school’s resources. The community’s commitment was evident from the start: as soon as funding was received, the Faleloa GPS PTA met immediately to discuss project roles, work distribution, and critical design changes. Impressively, they had already fundraised an additional $4,000 TOP (about $1,700 USD) the week before! This community-raised capital allowed them to modify the original plans, further ensuring the safety and longevity of the project.
This effort truly facilitated the collaborative spirit of three villages whose students attend Faleloa GPS. The PTA and parents communicated effectively and worked together, which allowed for a remarkably smooth implementation process. About 30 community volunteers helped bring this project to life, completing the construction in just three weeks. Furthermore, to ensure its long-term success, community members, including teachers and the PTA, put a maintenance plan in place, taking ownership of the fence’s upkeep for years to come. Overall, this project delivered a positive and lasting impact on approximately 215 people: the 70 students at Faleloa GPS, the 15 teachers and their family members who live on the school grounds, and the 130 women and men who have children at the school.
Pictured: The school fence before the project was initiated, and the finished result.
Olo’ua Island Water Security Project
Initiative by Rachael Z.
📍 Olo’ua, Vava’u Island Group ✅ Project in Progress 📅 2026 💵 $7,421.33 USD in funding
The island community of Olo’ua is a small, detached settlement in the Vava’u group that relies entirely on personal rain tanks to meet its freshwater needs. In recent years, many of these systems have failed to last through the dry season, forcing families to rely on shared communal storage that also nears depletion when school is out of session. This project aims to increase water security and climate resilience for the approximately 15 households, 2 churches, and the local primary school (GPS) that make up this resilient community.
The project involves the installation of four 10,000L water tanks at key communal locations: the Community Hall, the Church of Tonga Hall, the Wesleyan Church Hall, and GPS Olo’ua. By increasing the community’s total storage capacity by 40,000 liters, the project ensures that residents have a reliable backup during droughts and the necessary resources to cultivate vegetable gardens, which are currently limited due to water scarcity. To maintain the quality of the collected rainwater, the project also includes down-piping and mosquito mesh to keep the supply clean and safe for household use.
Designed through a collaborative partnership between the Olo’ua community and the Peace Corps Volunteer, this initiative is community-led at every stage. During the planning phase, every participant in a community-wide survey expressed a critical need for expanded storage. The residents of Olo’ua are contributing the tank platforms, guttering, and the labor required for boat transportation and installation from the Neiafu wharf. This effort not only addresses immediate scarcity but also builds the community’s long-term capacity to adapt to climate change and improve the overall quality of life for families on the island.
Pictured: The Olo’ua community and Peace Corps Volunteer Rachael Z. We look forward to sharing photos of the finished project soon!
Ministry of Fisheries Conservation Coloring Book Project
Initiative by Alf F., Abigail S., and Ella J.
📍 Kingdom of Tonga (National Distribution) ✅ Project in Progress 📅 2026 💵 $1,877.73 USD in funding
While the Tongan Ministry of Fisheries (MOF) produces a wide range of educational materials for adults, there has been a significant gap in resources specifically designed to engage school-aged children. As traditional ecological knowledge becomes strained due to societal changes, the MOF recognizes the urgent need to educate the next generation about marine stewardship. This project addresses that need by funding the professional printing and distribution of a locally produced bilingual coloring book focused on coral reef conservation.
The coloring book features illustrations of common fish species harvested from Tongan nearshore reefs, paired with biological information in both English and Tongan. By using an active and engaging learning format, the book reinforces the importance of healthy coral reef systems. During its development, the content was field-tested by Peace Corps Volunteers at youth environmental camps across Tongatapu and Vava’u, including the villages of Makaunga, Niutoua, Holeva, Talihau, Makave, Neiafu, and Ofu Island. The high level of enthusiasm from students during these tests proved the efficacy of the format in fostering a sense of pride in Tongan fisheries.
This initial printing allows the Ministry of Fisheries Science and Extension Division to move beyond the testing phase and begin nationwide distribution. By placing these books in the hands of children across the Kingdom, the MOF aims to increase environmental awareness and create long-term demand for youth-centered conservation materials. This project serves as a vital tool in maintaining the connection between Tongan youth and their marine heritage, ensuring the sustainable management of reefs for years to come.
Pictured: Students participating in a pilot session with the new coloring book. We look forward to sharing photos of the official distribution soon!
