Our project aims to improve food security and create sustainable livelihoods for our community by helping youth and local farmers use climate-smart farming methods. We will grow crops using water-efficient irrigation and improved practices that can cope with climate change. We will also add value to our crops through better processing, packaging, and market opportunities. Through this project, we want to build practical farming skills, encourage more youth to participate, share knowledge, and create income opportunities while making our community more resilient to climate change.
What made you want to be engaged in the fight against climate change?
I became involved in the fight against climate change because I deeply love my homeland, Tonga, our people, and our future. I have seen how drought, heavy rainfall, flooding, coastal impacts, and increasing salinity affect our water, crops, and food production. Our traditional foods are no longer produced as they were in our grandparents’ time, and the situation worries me for the future of our communities. As a youth, I believe young people must be part of the solution, not only observers of the problem. Through this project, I want to help youth and local farmers adopt climate-smart farming, water-efficient irrigation, and sustainable production. For me, climate action is personal; it is about protecting our culture, food security, livelihoods, and the future of our children.
What motivates/inspires you?
Every day in my community, I see young people spending too much time drinking alcohol, consuming kava, and, in some cases, becoming involved with drugs. It hurts me to see people from my own generation losing hope, direction, and connection with their families and community. I could not simply stand by. Although I had little money, I opened my home, shared food, and encouraged them. One day, we worked together in the bush and earned $10 an hour. Seeing their pride in earning through honest work changed my perspective. I realised that with opportunity, support, and purpose, young people can change their lives. This motivates me to create meaningful opportunities where youth feel valued, productive, and connected to their families, communities, and churches.
What advice do you have for the youth that want to be involved with climate action?
My advice to young people is to start with what you have and take action in your community. You do not need to be an expert or have a lot of money to make a difference. Learn about climate change, share knowledge with others, and become involved in practical activities such as climate-smart farming, tree planting, waste reduction, water conservation, and protecting our natural resources. Most importantly, work together and support other young people. Climate action is not only about protecting the environment; it is also about creating opportunities, improving food security, and building stronger and more resilient communities. Never think your contribution is too small; small actions, when led together by young people, can create meaningful change.
Which type of organisation would be most valuable for you to connect with during the event and why?
The organisations I would most value connecting with are agricultural organisations, financial institutions, private-sector agribusinesses, and groups that support youth entrepreneurship. I am keen to learn more about access to finance, small business development, agricultural investment, technology, and market opportunities. Building these connections could help our youth group gain access to training, farming inputs, financial services, and stronger markets for our products. I am especially interested in learning how banks and agribusiness partners can support young people to turn climate-smart agriculture into sustainable businesses and livelihoods. These partnerships would help us strengthen and expand our project while creating more opportunities for youth in our community.
Are there any topics you would especially like to speak about?
As a youth leader, I believe it is important to share the personal story and motivation behind our project, as well as how we hope to create opportunities for young people through climate-smart agriculture.
What is the most interesting story behind your project that you think people should hear?
The most interesting story behind our project is how I decided to apply for Youth4Climate and Youth4Life, even though I was not sure where it would lead. When I received the congratulatory message that our project had been selected, I felt deeply emotional because it showed me that someone out there was listening to the voices and struggles of our young people. This journey started with seeing youth in our community struggle with limited opportunities and lose hope. I opened my home, shared food, and spent time with them. One day, we worked together in the bush and earned $10 an hour. Seeing their pride in earning through honest work made me realise that with opportunity, support, and purpose, young people can change their lives.