A set of new reading applications (apps) designed for children in both Tongan and English and developed locally, offer over 100 culturally-relevant books across various difficulty levels, topics, and genres.
Titled “Tau Laukonga” the reading apps, were developed by United States Peace Corps volunteer, Andrew Pavey, in partnership with an American NGO “Friends of Tonga”, Tonga's Ministry of Education and Training’s Curriculum Development Unit, and the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Education Department.
The apps are endorsed by HRH Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku'aho. “This initiative is one key milestone to children’s development in the era of information technology,” she said.
Tau Laukonga gives all families instant access to a free digital library that can be enjoyed even without internet access. The apps will help preserve and uplift the Tongan language around the world, as well as boost English literacy achievement.
Peace Corps Tonga Country Director Elizabeth Neason, said, “Supporting literacy, Tongan heritage, and youth development are all cornerstones of Peace Corps’ work in the Kingdom of Tonga, and Andrew has created a project which serves as a beautiful testament to the potential of this type of service.”
President of Friends of Tonga, Michael P. Hassett, who is promoting the apps, said, “It is exciting to see how Peace Corps Volunteers can collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to design and implement such a useful learning tool.”
Andy Pavy, the app’s developer and a teacher in Houma, Tongatapu said, “For a love of reading to take root in the Kingdom, Tongan kids need culturally-relevant, engaging, and educational alternatives to TikTok and smartphone games. Tau Laukonga is the first step towards making this vision a reality.”
Over a dozen supporters representing Tonga, the United States, and New Zealand, including current and former Peace Corps volunteers, contributed narration, translation work, and more to make the project possible.
Now available for free download on Android and iPhone devices, Tau Laukonga also offers read-along audio narrations recorded by native speakers for most of the books. More books and features will be added in future updates later this year.
Around 70% of Tongan households lack reading materials for kids, according to a 2017 World Bank report.
