Laurel, Maryland, USA – May 5th, 2025 –
Tau Laukonga, a pair of new Tongan and English
reading apps for kids, is now available to download for free
on Android and iPhone.
Developed by United States
Peace Corps Volunteer, Andrew Pavey, in partnership with the
American NGO Friends of Tonga, the Tonga Ministry of
Education and Training’s Curriculum Development Unit, and
the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Education Department, each
app offers 100+ fun, culturally-relevant books across
various difficulty levels, topics, and genres. The majority
of books also feature read-along audio narration recorded by
native speakers.
Around 70% of Tongan households lack
reading materials for kids, according to a 2017 World Bank
report. Tau Laukonga gives all families instant access to a
free digital library that can be enjoyed even without
internet access. The apps will help preserve and uplift the
Tongan language around the world, as well as boost English
literacy achievement.
“This initiative is one key
milestone to children’s development in the era of
information technology,” says Her Royal Highness Crown
Princess Sinaitakala, a vocal proponent of Tau
Laukonga.
“Supporting literacy, Tongan
heritage, and youth development are all cornerstones of
Peace Corps’ work in the Kingdom of Tonga, and Andrew has
created a project which serves as a beautiful testament to
the potential of this type of service,” says Peace Corps
Tonga Country Director Elizabeth Neason. “Through hard
work, international cooperation, and local partnerships, he
has put together something truly unique and
powerful.”
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“It is exciting to see how
Peace Corps Volunteers can collaborate with a variety of
stakeholders to design and implement such a useful learning
tool,” says Michael P. Hassett, President of Friends of
Tonga. “Tau Laukonga could change the trajectory of
literacy attainment for an entire nation.”
“For a
love of reading to take root in the Kingdom, Tongan kids
need culturally-relevant, engaging, and educational
alternatives to TikTok and smartphone games,” says Pavey,
the app’s developer and a teacher in Houma, Tongatapu.
“Tau Laukonga is the first step towards making this vision
a reality.”
Over a dozen supporters representing
Tonga, the United States, and New Zealand, including current
and former Peace Corps Volunteers, contributed narration,
translation work, and more to make the project possible.
More books and features will be added in future updates
later this year. Authors interested in donating the rights
to their work, especially children’s books in the Tongan
language, should contact
taulaukonga@gmail.com.
Download the Tau Laukonga apps
for Android here:
https://tinyurl.com/4j5ca57k
Download the Tau Laukonga
apps for iPhone here:
https://tinyurl.com/mre4zc4z
About Friends of
Tonga
Founded in 2018 by returned Peace Corps
Volunteers, Friends of Tonga® Inc. is a volunteer-operated
American NGO dedicated to supporting the Kingdom of Tonga.
It administers Tau Laukonga as a service to Tonga’s
people, language, heritage, and
future.
