A table tennis 'Dream Building Project' was launched on September 22 in Kolonga, Tongatapu, inclusive of people living with disability.

The project will run for two and a half years in a collaboration between the Tonga Table Tennis Federation, International Table Tennis Federation-Foundation and partners,  supported by the Australian Government.

It aims to improve the quality of life of persons with disability in remote villages and outer islands of Tonga.

Moatau Valevale, Lord Nuku's son and guest of honour said, sport is a great mechanism to including persons with disabilities to society.

He encouraged Kolonga church ministers, youth leaders, teachers, parents and caregivers of persons with disability to come together to break down barriers that keeps persons with disabilities at home and away from the rest of the community.

CEO for Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola commended Tonga Table Tennis for using the Inclusiveness Social Approach through sport, as there is a need to address the important issue of inclusiveness nationally.

He quoted the former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, during the High Level meeting on Disability in 2013: “Disability is part of human development. Everyone will be temporarily or permanently impaired at some point in life, yet too many with disabilities live with poverty, many suffer social exclusion, too many do not have access to education, employment, health care and social and legal support systems.”  

Fifita Lolohea from Niutoua, who took part in a Disability Awareness workshop, said she was overwhelmed that there was a sport she could finally take part in and feel comfortable in.  “I look forward to learning how to play table tennis," she said.

Kolonga alone has over 40 disability cases, the highest in the Lapaha district.  

The Dream Building project will engage with youth leaders from churches, teachers from schools, and parents and care givers of persons with disability in Kolonga in the coming weeks with the inclusive educational 'Bounce it Back table tennis program'.

Representatives from the Governments of New Zealand, Japan, Tonga Health, TASANOC and various Government Ministries were present at the event.