Country Welcome for Tonga

Mālō e lelei and welcome to Peace Corps in the Kingdom of Tonga!

We’re happy you are interested in exploring our webpages and potentially serving here. Tonga is breathtakingly beautiful — with azure seas, white sands, lush, green vegetation, atolls, mountains, and steep cliffs. And the marine life is gorgeous — vibrant corals, colorful fish, and marine life abound here. The presence of humpback whales from June to October is nothing short of magical. But more importantly, the warm and friendly Tongan people make this nation a wonderful place to serve. Tonga is aptly nicknamed the “Friendly Islands.”

Peace Corps has deep roots and a proud heritage here. Since 1968, over 1700 Volunteers have served throughout the main island and numerous outer islands that make up the kingdom.

Our projects focus on English Education and Community Environmental Resilience. Our English Education Volunteers teach/co-teach classes and collaborate with teachers, principals, PTAs, community members and leaders, sharing skills and knowledge to boost student and community learning. Our Community Environmental Resilience Volunteers work hand-in-hand with community partners to identify and prioritize community issues to strengthen their environmental resilience, response to natural disasters, and overall environmental health. We are extremely proud of our Volunteers who are making a tangible difference in the lives of Tongans.

Peace and friendship are at the heart of our work here. Building relationships with members of communities is critical to Volunteer integration, cultural exchange, and language learning. It is also essential to fostering change and growth. Peace Corps staff are committed to supporting and coaching Volunteers on this journey.

Peace Corps is still “the toughest job you’ll ever love,” but the rewards are many. You will have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Please explore our site, review the Volunteer profiles, project descriptions, Volunteer Handbook and other items. For those of you exploring potential countries of service, we hope you will apply and join us on our journey with the Tongan people!

Thank you for your interest in Tonga!

Elizabeth Neason
Country Director