The Work Of Friends of Tonga
The organisation, founded in 2018, was created around a simple belief: lasting change begins with partnership, trust and local leadership. Their work expanded significantly following the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami. Becoming one of the first non-profit organisations to launch a disaster relief response supporting affected communities, their work has continued to support disaster recovery while simultaneously expanding programmes focused on climate resilience, education, literacy, and environmental sustainability.
- 77 rainwater cisterns, creating approximately 770,000 litres of clean drinking water storage capacity for island communities.
- Supported 56,000+ people through humanitarian response and disaster recovery efforts.
- Awarded more than 200 scholarships supporting Tongan students pursuing educational opportunities.
- Coordinated more than $750,000 in humanitarian goods, services, and program support since 2018.
The Atlas Foundations' Impact
In November 2024, The Atlas Foundation supported Friends of Tonga in their construction of the kindergarten. Completed in Febuary 2026, it was designed as a climate and disaster-resilient facility, providing children in Tu’anuku and surrounding communities with a safe, permanent place to learn.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Atlas for believing in this project and supporting the Tu’anuku community. Their contribution helped us get the kindergarten across the finish line. This is what an international collaboration of mission-oriented people and organizations can achieve: the community knew what it needed, Atlas believed in the vision, and partners from different parts of the world came together to turn that vision into a place where children can learn, grow, and feel safe.”
The organisation was selected from more than 4,200 applicants across 145 countries — one of just five finalists in its category, and the only finalist working in the South Pacific.
Winners across all seven award categories, including the $50,000 .ORG of the Year prize, will be announced at the in-person ceremony in Washington, D.C. on 6 October. Whatever the outcome, Atlas is proud to have played a part in a project already changing daily life for children in Tu’anuku.
