Radio & TV Tonga, Nuku’alofa, 24/09/2019

A local schoolgirl emphasized the importance of safe housing during the Asia Pacific Housing Forum.

Takuilau College Head Girl Prefect – Ana Malia Falemaka attended the Asia Pacific Housing Forum held in Thailand last week.

This forum was organised by Habitat for Humanity who had held an essay-writing competition that Falemaka won earlier this year. She along with other winners from around the Pacific were given the opportunity to attend an event in New Zealand earlier.

Following on from that she was sponsored by Habitat for Humanity NZ to speak at the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum where she spoke on the theme – engaging with youth for a sustainable future.

Falemaka said, “I and two other members from the Philippines, were able to voice out the hopes and the needs of youth in housing and our countries. So I did not have formal information or statistics but I spoke from the heart by emphasizing that we should, we youth, should be included in all decision-making regarding housing because it is our future that we are talking about and we do not want to be left out because our voices and our opinions do matter in this situation.”

Falemaka explained that there were several issues with housing here in Tonga that she thought need to be addressed, highlighting the importance of safe housing.

Before the forum there was also a Youth Conference that was a platform for the youth to have their voice heard. Falemaka then encouraged the youth of the country to stand up and take action in this area if they wish to see a change.

“I also emphasize to youth that if they want to see change in their country, if they want to see a change in their communities, they have to be the shape that change, they can’t just sit around and always expect and rely on the older generations to do the work to make the change that they want to see,” Falemaka added, “If you want to see a change in your country, if you want to see a change in your community regarding housing, you have to start now because this is the time to make the change and you have to be the change because you are the solution to all the issues in our community and in our society.”

Meanwhile the Principal of Takuilau College – Sitani Paulo said they were proud of Falemaka and they are looking forward to see her share knowledge from the forum with the school and the wider community.

© Radio and Television Tonga News