Thirty two students from seven secondary schools in Tongatapu will camp for two weeks at the Police Training School as part of the Kaliloa Tonga Youth Leadership Program which started on June 23, at the Police College in Longolongo.

The students, both girls and boys aged 14-16 years come from Tupou College, Queen Salote College, 'Apifo'ou College, Tailulu College, Tupou High School, Tonga College and Tonga High School. They are exposed to a spectrum of leadership related subjects and activities, delivered by selected guest speakers.

The programme includes leadership in terms of culture and tradition, ethics and Christian values, maintaining personal hygiene, self-discipline, self-value and self-confidence, working as a team, how to set up a career path based on their talents and interests. it also covers the challenges youths faced from drugs, alcohol, online bullying and consequences of breaching the law.

Deputy Police Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai said today leadership is one of the most important skills one can learn, in order to be the best they can be and to go out and make a difference.

This program aims at reinforcing values instilled by parents at home by providing them with leadership skills to help them make the right choices given the many challenges life presents.

“There is an expectation that they will influence others as they go out to their families, school and communities thereby strengthening the future of Tonga,” she said.

Students are to be awarded certificates of completion at their graduation on June 29.

This initiative is part of aTonga Police community outreach strategy in partnership with the Ministry of Education, principals, civil society and HMAF funded by the Tonga Police Development Program.

The President of the Free Church of Tonga Semisi Fonua is the Patron of this 2^nd Kaliloa Program.