Linking design skills training and business planning helps artisans increase their income-earning potential. That is why Tonga Skills, funded by Australia in Tonga, facilitates access for women and men in rural communities to skills development to improve the quality and marketability of their products.

With assistance from the Tonga Women’s Economic Empowerment Foundation and under the guidance of expert artist/designer, Tevita Polaapau, 15 local artisans recently completed a design skills/financial literacy program in Kolonga, Eastern Tongatapu.

At the end of the program the participants showcased designs on t-shirts, tupenu, shirts, curtains and tapa cloths. The next step for the trainees is to prepare items for sale at the Women in Sustainable Enterprises night market to be held at the BSP car park in central Nuku’alofa, on Friday, August 31.