More than 100 girls and young women took part in a life skills program in Ha’apai and Tongatapu run by Talitha Project over the summer.

Vanessa Heleta, founder of the Talitha Project, said the 140 adolescent girls and young women were “empowered with knowledge”. She said life skills training is important to support healthy development transitions into adulthood.

“Really our role is assisting young people to learn how to think rather than what to think by providing them with accurate information to make decisions, solving problems and managing emotions. This is by developing their personal and social skills necessary to function effectively in everyday life and to contribute positively to the development of others.”

The program began in Ha’apai in December 2019 ended last week in Tongatapu. It covered the topics of education on health, gender based violence, rights, sexual reproductive health as well as climate change, among others.

Vanessa, said participants included young single mothers.

“The program was very useful because the young women shared with us that there are no such programs in their communities,” she said.

Talitha has now received requests for similar programs for Vava'u.

The program in the outer islands is made possible with collaboration with the Ministry of Health providing the district nurses.

In Tongatapu, the program was held in Houma, Makaunga, Matahau and Nuku‘alofa.

Key donors for the Talitha Project are UN Women and UNFPA.