19 Jun 2017

Tongan project hopes to create young female entrepreneurs

12:16 pm on 19 June 2017

An NGO in Tonga has partnered with a bank and telecommunications company in an effort to help young women become financially independent .

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.

"Cruise ships come in, so we are going to set up a little stall there so we can sell their products. Just something creative for them to do because it's not all about knowledge, knowledge-based programmes but also skills development," she says.

"How do you make money? You know it is all about financial independence."

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Vanessa Heleta Photo: RNZ Pacific/Koro Vakauta