Talitha Project

Cyberbullying isn’t a problem limited to specific countries

In the Pacific, it’s becoming more and more common.

In Tonga, as the country continues to grow fast in its access to mobile and internet technology, cyber security and safety has become a key priority of the Government and Private Sector to ensure everyone plays their part in making a safer and secure online experience for all. 

It is about using the internet, mobiles, or other technology to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.

There are consultations at all levels amongst Government and stakeholders to ensure everyone plays their part for a safer and more secure online experience for all. 

With that in mind, Digicel Tonga Ltd in partnership with Talitha Project is inviting all schools in Tongatapu to participate in an awareness competition this month. 

The main objective is to ‘stop cyber bullying’ and create an awareness amongst the community with the focus to educate children about a safer online experience. 

The camp was organised by the Talitha Project in partnership with the US Peace Corps and it was held from 11-14 December, 2017 at the Tonga Football Association premises.

Vanessa Heleta, founder of the Talitha Project said the camp focused specifically on Gender Equality and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions which are among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty.

Talitah Project hosted the one-week camp with a vision to empower young women so that can be leaders one day.

The camp also gave the young women the opportunity to visit the Parliament of Tonga as an introduction or way to inspire them to be great leaders.

 The young women were also able to meet and greet the Customer Care Manager for Digicel Tonga, Mrs Siutaula Tonga.

Mrs Tonga deliver a speech based on her experiences as a female manager.

Talitah Project Team hosted the Young Athletes Program today with disabled children at the age of 2-10 years old in preparation for the Special Olympics. Young Athletes Program is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), ages 2-10 years old.

Young athletes are introduced to basic sport skills like running, kicking, throwing.

It offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports and they all benefit. 

The Talitha Project is working with over 50 young women on financial literacy and creative entrepreneurship.

Director Vanessa Heleta said the Bank of the South Pacific is providing financial advice and an account and her organisation was helping the women come up with ideas on how to create wealth.

Ms Heleta said Digicel had also allowed them space in their town square which would be used to access potential customers.

The campaign is aimed at lobbying for the repealing of the Births, Deaths and Marriage Registration Act 1926 which states that children from ages 15-17 years be allowed to marry with parental consent.

Heleta says the launch of the campaign has sparked a discussion in every household in Tonga.

“We have started our outreach on the campaign to the community and 99% have supported the campaign,” she said.

Heleta says Talitha Project is spearheading this campaign because it’s within Talitha’s mandate and it is time for these issues to be addressed.

Vanessa Heleta runs the Talitha Project which is trying to get a change in the marriage laws with its "Let Girls be Girls!" initiative.

Tonga currently allows people between the ages of 15 and 17 to get married if they have their parents' consent.

Ms Heleta said in 2015 there were 56 child marriages, as they are known in Tonga, and in 2016 there were 52.

She said 15 child marriages have been registered so far this year.

"It's really saddened my heart. I don't think it's right. This day and age we should not encourage child marriages," she said.

The participants will be able to obtain skills training and express themselves through their creativity.

This will assist the young women in developing skills and giving them a basis to earn financial means which ties in with the Project’s aim to encourage women, girls and young youths to develop their own economic independence, pursue further skill development and ultimately contribute to Tonga’s economy. 

Talitha Project provides young Tongan women and girls an opportunity to have a voice and make informed choices relating to their lifestyle and future.