By Everest Hala

A week of service, sport and games is set for Nuku’alofa this April, as Khyiris Tonga and his family give back to Tonga through a charity initiative inspired by faith, resilience and love for home.

 A highlight of the week will be an Easter egg hunt hosted at Pangailahi in Nuku'alofa, an initiative of his mother, Siu Tonga, and co-hosted by HRH Princess Mata’aho. The week will focus on the children of Nuku’alofa, with events designed to let them simply be children again.

George and Siu Tonga say they hope this is just the beginning.

“The goal is for the Tongan people in the States or wherever in the diaspora to see what we are doing and come do it for their own village,” they told Matangi Tonga. “Our wish is for their hearts to open up and do these charity events for Tonga, specifically the children. Our son has the opportunity to help us utilize our resources to give back to our kingdom. This is just the beginning.”

The projects will be funded through the Khyiris Tonga Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Khyiris and his father George. Built on faith, family and Polynesian culture, the foundation focuses on supporting youth facing emotional, spiritual and mental health challenges.

A mother’s miracle

At the heart of the initiative is Siu Tonga’s deeply personal journey.

Born and raised in Fasi, where she spent most of her childhood before migrating to the United States, Siu says her heart never left Tonga. Three years ago, her life changed dramatically after a fall at home left her with a broken neck and immediate paralysis.

“I fell from using my sofa as a ladder to hang photos,” she said. “I lost balance, fell, and broke my neck. Immediately I was paralyzed. I had three surgeries and now have seven plates attached to my neck. I am what you call a walking quadriplegic.”

After two years of intensive physiotherapy in Utah, where she lives, she regained the ability to walk. She believes her recovery came with a purpose.

“I thought there must be a reason God blessed me with this miracle of life again — I just didn’t know what.”

She credits Lord Vaea for persistently encouraging her to return to Tonga and share her story, especially to inspire women and young girls.

“On the third year he opened my heart again, and finally I am back here in Tonga,” she said. “Immediately I knew what my heart wanted. My heart led me to the children — especially children in my childhood neighborhood, Nuku’alofa.”

Letting children be children

The main highlight of the week will be an Easter egg hunt hosted at Pangailahi, courtesy of Princess Mata’aho. But this is no ordinary holiday event.

Siu says her goal is for every child to win a prize and take home a gift.

“My focus is I want the children of Tonga to just be kids,” she said. “I know they are forced to grow up way too fast. It’s almost like they lose their innocence because of the circumstances they are in. That saddens me. So if I can change their lives for one day, I am willing to do it.”

She hopes to make the Easter celebration a yearly tradition.

Pickleball

At the same time, George is helping launch a three-day children’s pickleball tournament, beginning with selected youth from Kolofo’ou. The tournament will be held at the Atele Indoor Stadium, with coordination support from Mele Folau of the Energy Commission.

“We are starting children’s pickleball with a selection of children from Kolofo’ou,” George said. “We have a team identifying the kids to be invited so we can manage the event well.”

The mix of sport and celebration reflects the family’s broader mission: creating safe spaces where children feel seen, valued and encouraged.

From foster care to the NFL

Khyiris Tonga’s own life story is behind the initiative. Now a defensive lineman for the New England Patriots, Tonga was adopted during his senior year of high school by George and Siu Tonga after experiencing foster care and housing instability. He has publicly credited the family with providing the stability and permanent home that helped turn his life around.

Today, that same spirit of second chances is driving the family’s work in Tonga.

For the Tongas, this is more than a charity week, it's a reminder that even one day of joy can make a difference in a child’s life in Tonga.