Photos by Linny Folau and Mary Lyn Fonua

Tatakamotonga celebrated the opening of the Mata'aho Hall Women's Training Centre at on Wednesday September 5, after renovations were completed and training equipment provided in a joint collaboration between the Governments of Japan and New Zealand.

Matangia Nusi on drum, with the Kolokakala Women celebrating the official handover of Mata'aho Hall Women's Training Centre, Tatakamotonga. 5 September 2012.

The Kolokakala Women in Development Society will use the community hall for their sewing, cooking and health education, and traditional manufactures such as tapa making.

Prince Tungi, the guest of honour at the official handover ceremony, was accompanied by his mother Hon Alaileula Tuku'aho.

Development

Japanese aid funded the renovation of the hall with a grant of US$106,667, which included a new kitchen, office space, storage room, lavatory, a new fence and a 10,000 litre water tank. 

NZAid funded the provision of cooking stoves and sewing machines to be used for the training at a cost of around $5,000.

HE Mr Yasuo Takase, Japan's Ambassador to Tonga, said, they were happy to see that the renovation had allowed for a safe and productive workplace for sewing and tapa making. "Japan is an active development partner in improving the status of women. The funding of this project is a strong testimony of Japan's commitment to Tonga," he said.

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Dr Jonathan Austin, commended the society for taking up the initiative to have the old hall refurbished. "The development of women in society, particularly rural women, is something that is strongly supported by our NZAid program and the interesting work of the training will soon begin," he said.

Training

The President of the Kolokakala Society Lupe Kato, and the Town Officer of Tatakamotonga, Ngoue Hone Felemi,  thanked the donors for their support.

Vika Fusimalohi, of the Kolokakala Society, said they aimed to encourage their women to work together and develop their social and economic livelihoods not only for their families but for their village and for Tonga, by acquiring training in basic skills such as cooking and sewing.

Guests, who included the Minister for Education Hon Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki and WISE Tonga Inc. President, Robina Nakao, viewed a display of the women's handicrafts, with demonstrations of tapa making.

Mata'aho Hall Women's Training Centre, Tatakamotonga.