The program, driven by the district’s nine communities and rooted in their Community Development Plans, marks one of the most ambitious efforts in recent years to revive a craft that has faded with the rise of modern boats and imported materials. Under the direction of District Officer Sione Tu‘ifio Finau and nine Town Officers, 90 participants—five adult men and five youths from each community—will spend 14 days learning to carve, maintain, and paddle the vessels their ancestors relied upon for survival.

When the sawdust settles, the district expects to launch 20 new canoes: two for each participating community and two for the district itself. The logs, sourced locally, were donated by residents as an in-kind contribution to the training.

At the center of the workshop stands Master Carver Sione Tu‘ione Pulotu, one of the few remaining practitioners with the knowledge to build a traditional popao from raw timber. Assisted by three expert carvers, he will guide participants through techniques passed down through generations—skills that experts worry may vanish as elders age and younger Tongans increasingly turn to modern technologies.

The initiative is supported through the Tonga Rural Innovation Project II (TRIP II), a government program implemented by MORDI Tonga and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Beyond cultural preservation, the project is rooted in practical necessity. For many households in Tonga’s outer islands, shallow-water fishing remains a primary source of food and income. Fresh fish and gleaned shellfish helped sustain families during the COVID-19 pandemic, when global disruptions curtailed shipping and imports.

Officials say the new outrigger canoes will improve access to near-shore fisheries, bolstering diets in a country grappling with high rates of non-communicable diseases. “These canoes are not just vessels—they are pathways to healthier lives,” District Officer Finau said in his remarks, offering a vote of thanks to the community members and partners involved.

The training also responds to local concerns about rising youth disengagement. Communities reported climbing numbers of school dropouts and identified the need for meaningful skills training for young men. By pairing cultural revitalization with practical livelihood skills, leaders hope to strengthen economic resilience while reconnecting a new generation to its heritage.

As Tonga faces intensifying climate impacts—storms, cyclones, and coastal erosion—traditional environmental knowledge is receiving renewed attention worldwide for its role in adaptation and sustainable resource management. In ‘Eua, the revival of canoe carving is more than an exercise in nostalgia; it is an attempt to reclaim knowledge that helped island communities live in balance with their environment for centuries.

On the training grounds today, participants surrounded the long cedar logs, listening as the Master Carver demonstrated the first cuts. For a moment, the setting felt timeless—wood, tools, and hands working together, shaping not only canoes but the future of their communities.

The post Reviving a Canoe Tradition to Sustain Communities and Preserve Culture first appeared on MORDI Tonga.

In late March, Tonga received 24,000 vaccine doses through the COVAX facility, marking a critical step in strengthening national preparedness. Yet officials say that vaccination alone is not enough. Sustained community awareness and hygiene practices remain essential to preventing an outbreak in a country with limited health-care capacity.

Since 2020, MORDI Tonga has led a series of hygiene and sanitation awareness campaigns aimed at equipping communities with accurate information and practical tools to reduce the risk of transmission. The organization has partnered with the Tonga Police, the Tonga National Youth Congress, Caritas, and the Church of Tonga to deliver hand-washing stations to 62 community police posts across the country.

These efforts have been supported by printed educational materials and capacity-building workshops delivered by MORDI Tonga staff. The most recent round of training began with officers at the Halafakalotomua and Nahakalau community police stations in Lapaha, followed by two stations in Ha‘ateiho, as well as Makapaeo and Lomaiviti community police posts.

More resources and training sessions are scheduled to be rolled out to additional communities in the weeks following the Easter holiday. The continued outreach reflects a broader national commitment: ensuring that even the most remote villages remain informed, prepared, and protected as the pandemic evolves globally.

The post Tonga Maintains COVID-Free Status as Grassroots Campaigns Strengthen Community Preparedness first appeared on MORDI Tonga.