Ten people including business owners and members from the Fisi'ihangale community group in Popua completed a training course on wood carving and making carving tools, from May 4-15.

The group requested the training with master carver, Steven Fehoko, through the Australian Government initiative, Tonga Skills, to enhance their skills.

Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Adrian Morrison congratulated the participants on completing five days of training in wood carving using local resources, with mentoring and guidance from the master carver.

“The training also increased the visibility of micro-small business owners who are keen to support economic activities in the community at large.“

Two of the participants, Sione and Louini Ma’u, who make a living selling handicrafts, looked forward to applying their new skills to enhance their business.

‘’We are so happy with the training. We usually buy miniature handicraft pieces for decorating our ‘kafa’ (woven traditional belt), but the training has taught us the skill for making them ourselves,” said Sione.

“We can also make magnetic pieces using recycled materials. These skills help to improve our business so that we can better provide for our family, our children and our grand-children.”

The Tonga Skills program aims to provide equitable access to quality based and demand driven skills development contributing to sustainable economic growth in Tonga.