Friends of Tonga
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| Formation | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Laurel, Maryland, United States |
| Website | https://friendsoftonga.org/ |
Friends of Tonga is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization registered in the United States. It is affiliated with the National Peace Corps Association,[1] but membership is open to anyone with connections to Tonga.
History
[edit]Friends of Tonga was founded in 2018 by returned Peace Corps volunteers in response to the impacts of Cyclone Gita,[2] primarily focusing on disaster risk management and recovery efforts. It soon expanded into educational projects, including a scholarship program, a video resource library, and a pen pal program.[2][3][4]
In July 2021, Friends of Tonga completed the reconstruction of a kindergarten in Ta'anga which had been destroyed by Cyclone Gita. Prior to the reconstruction, students had been learning inside a donated UNICEF tent.[2][5]
Friends of Tonga distributed aid in the aftermath of the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption and tsunami.[4][3] Former All Blacks player Charles Piutau and various rugby clubs in the United Kingdom contributed TOP$136,000 to the organization to support the relief effort.[3][6]
In May 2025, Friends of Tonga partnered with the Tonga Ministry of Education and Training to develop and launch a bilingual (Tongan and English) reading app project named Tau Laukonga. It is free and available on both iOS and Android devices.[7][8]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Friends of Tonga". National Peace Corps Association. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- 1 2 3 "The Pittsburgh-Tonga connection: It's long but it's strong". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- 1 2 3 Newburn, Jessie (2023-12-14). "Laurel nonprofit makes a big difference for a small country". Streetcar Suburbs Publishing. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- 1 2 Viana, Ruivaldo Freitas (2022-02-23). "A Non-Profit in Maryland Provides Monetary Aid to Assist with Tonga's Volcanic Eruption". Asia Matters for America. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ↑ "Ta'anga kindergarten rebuilt by volunteers". Matangi Tonga. 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ↑ "Charles Piutau and UK rugby clubs support disaster relief in Tonga". Matangi Tonga. 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ↑ "Bilingual reading apps to boost literacy in Tonga". Matangi Tonga. 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ↑ Fa'aoso, Andre. "Empowering Tongan literacy: US volunteers launch free app with culturally rich texts". PMN | Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 2026-01-28.