Seven community projects throughout Tonga received funding from Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML) today, 15 January.

The awards, worth between $4,400 and $10,000 pa’anga, come under TOML’s new Community Assistance Program to increase its direct support for local communities.

Deep Green TOML Country Manager, Christina Pome’e said the seven projects are located on Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, and Vava’u and support women, youth, health, and the environment.

The successful projects were selected from over 600 applications received by TOML last year.

They include the 'Happy Tiny House Living for a Healthy Ha’afeva- Leaving No One Behind' project in Ha’afeva, Ha’apai. This project will improve toilet facilities for 22 households on the island.

The 'Reforestation of Mangrove Species' project aims to plant and grow mangroves in the coastal areas of Kolovai and ‘Ahau, Tongatapu.

The ‘Tongiaki ‘a Fefine ‘o Lapaha koka’anga group in Lapaha, Tongatapu, will use the funds to purchase more tables (papa koka’anga), sets of tapa prints for design, and big pots for paste to assist in their tapa making, which is their primary source of income.

The Houma Tigers Rugby Field Refurbishment project in Houma, Tongatapu will refurbish their rugby field to provide an outlet for youth and to reduce crime, as well as benefit the whole community.

The Longomapu Sewing Machines Project in Longomapu, Vava’u will purchase sewing machines to share among women who recently completed a sewing course with Tonga Skills, and aid them to generate an income to support their families.

Another project is the Upgrading Community Water Pump System at Fua’amotu, Tongatapu. Funding for this project will go towards purchasing a new electrically-powered water pump to replace the old water pump and provide a more reliable and cleaner water source for the community.

And the final project to receive funding is the Keep ‘Eua Clean: Waste Storage & Collection Project, which will provide rubbish bins in central community locations in the villages of ‘Eua, to reduce the impact of trash and illegal dumping.

Member of Parliament, Hon Dr Saia Piukala represented the community in Vava’u, while MP Losaline Ma’asi attended to support her community.

Another round of community funding is planned again this year.

TOML is a Tongan subsidiary of DeepGreen Metals Inc, and is sponsored by Tonga to explore polymetallic rocks in international waters.