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Project Proposal:
Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground
(still seeking funding)
Requesting Group: Fakamalu ‘o Latufuipeka Youth Group
Location: Kolovai, Kingdom of Tonga
Proposal Summary
Description of Need:
Kolovai is a village central to Tongatapu’s Western District. It is a community that is known for its well-maintained appearance and active local pride. Kolovai sees much people traffic. Members of other villages come to utilize Kolovai’s Health, Hall, or Computer facilities. Tourists pass through Kolovai on their way to the nearby local resorts and beaches or in search for the famous peka, otherwise known as flying foxes or fruit bats. And, a great number of children from surrounding areas come to attend Kolovai’s two active primary schools.
Unfortunately, Kolovai lacks a central focal point for community and children congregation. The project known as Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground would provide an area designated for community members to gather with their children emphasizing healthy activities and village beautification. A land area central to Kolovai activities has been designated to pursue these efforts.
A Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground carries a multitude of benefits and opportunities. It will encourage children to partake in safe and healthy activity while promoting, among parents and family members, the enjoyment and recognition of the importance of proper supervision. These concepts have been endorsed by the District’s only Health Center which lies in close proximity to the proposed project site. The Health Center’s presence and involvement in the Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground will ensure the sustainability of a healthy focus in the project.
A Park and Children’s Playground will offer a focal point for Kolovai which will serve as a central site for the community congregation. It will provide the opportunity for youth and other Kolovai residences to unite and concentrate efforts on the beautification of Kolovai through a community garden. Such a garden will increase individual participation on village matters among youth, adults, and even the children. It will offer the opportunity to preserve and gain appreciation for indigenous flora. The proposed Gardens will improve the aesthetic appeal of Kolovai and the Western District, while answering a call from the global community to create common gardens as a symbol of world-wide peace in these uncertain times.
The implementation and maintenance of this project will offer productivity to the Kolovai youth. Youth are defined as individuals, male and female, of Kolovai who may have, but not necessarily, finished schooling and are currently without permanent, full-time employment status. This is an at-risk group and is the priority in much of the developmental work in Kingdom of Tonga. There are estimated to be nearly one hundred youth in Kolovai who may be available to participate in the construction and preservation of the Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground.
This project will be facilitated by a committee within Kolovai’s youth group, known as Fakamalu ‘o Latu Fuipeka from its headquarters at the Western District Youth Hall and Computer Center. Fakamalu ‘o Latu Fuipeka has elected leadership lying in the existing positions of president, secretary, and treasurer. Advisors to the group include a town committee representative and a local Peace Corps Volunteer. The Youth Group has an account at the Bank of Tonga with good credit for financial transactions. The Fakamalu ‘o Latu Fuipeka youth group has proved management capacity having organized and executed several successful projects including the Western District Youth Hall and Computer Center and the Masiata Beach and Picnic Area.
This project was conceived and is to be implemented by the local community and youth group of Kolovai in conjunction with the residing Peace Corps Volunteer. Those who have shown complete support for the project included the leadership of Drew Havea and the U.S. Peace Corps, and the Patron of the Fakamalu ‘o Latu Fuipeka Youth group, Her Royal Highness, Princess Latu Fuipeka, and her mother Princess Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho.
Current Attractions of the Kolovai Area:
A central site established as the Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground will unite children and parents of the village promoting healthy activity and child supervision and increase pride for the aesthetics of the village, while providing productivity for the youth in the implementation and preservation of the project.
Objectives:
Intended Skill Transfer:
The involvement of youth and other community members in the implementation of the project will promote confidence and skill building. The managerial team will be selected from the considerable supply of labor currently available among the Kolovai youth. Training and capacity building activities with specific knowledge or skills being transferred are as follows:
Project Management
Erection of Fencing
Metal works pertaining to the construction of playground equipment.
Gardening Development and Maintenance
Organization of Opening Ceremonies
Methods of safe children supervision
BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
Estimates for fencing and playground are attached. The Community has agreed to contribute the costs for the fencing, which is well over the 25% that the Donor Agency requires.
Perpetual expenses will include gas for mowing, additional flowers and plants, and reparations for damaged playground or fence equipment. These are minor costs and will be covered by local donations.
Land in a central location of the village has been graciously donated to be used as the Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground. Youth members, men and women, will complete most tasks in the implementation of this project with assistance from other community members utilizing skills from neighbors, family members, and others.
General Timeline:
Month 1st 2nd 3rd
Form Project Committee __________
Preparation of Land __________
Design Garden Area __________
Install Fencing __________
Install Playground Equipment __________
Install Benches __________
Plant trees, Flowers and Other Flora __________
Present Park to the Public and Dignitaries __________
III. Maintenance and upkeep _________________________________
IV. Monitoring and evaluation _________________________________
The period of pre-funding will emphasize organizing and planning. Local labor will contribute to the task of clearing the allotted land. The announcement of the opening of the Park and Playground will take place via national media (including newspapers, television, and radio.
Monitoring of the Kolovai Central Park and Children’s Playground will begin with the implementation of the project and continue on a consistent basis. Initial performance evaluations will be informal monthly assessments conducted by the Peace Corps Volunteer, community members, participants, and project staff. During the fifth or sixth months of operation a representative from the funding agency or an independent evaluation facilitator unassociated with the project will be sought to make a report concerning the progress of the project. Evaluations shall examine the fulfillment of the stated objectives and action plan, analyze cost effectiveness, locate and assess unexpected results, concern people’s effectiveness, seek solutions to problems, and discuss future outlook. Reports will be presented to the community, main supporters, and funding agencies.
Specific Indicators to Determine the Impact of this Activity:
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Author of proposal: Paul Neville, Peace Corps Volunteer, Kolovai
Contact telephone number: 676-41-675
Date last updated: November 21, 2001
