In Tonga, flower arranging is blossoming into a powerful tool for economic resilience and inclusion. Through the Tonga Leitī Association’s Life Skills Program, women and LGBTQI+ individuals are transforming traditional knowledge into income, confidence, and community pride.

As Tonga modernises, the gendered division of labour still persists with women typically relegated to gardening and household beautification – activities seen as less economically significant. While monetary poverty declined nationally between 2016 and 2021, the erosion of subsistence livelihoods in rural areas has increased vulnerability. Communities that once relied on the land, sea, and kinship networks for food and income now face limited formal employment opportunities. Informal economic activities like handicrafts, weaving, and floral arrangements remain vital but are often overlooked in development policy.

The Tonga Leitī Association (TLA) responded to this need through its Life Skills Program, designed to build income-generating capacity among women and LGBTQI+ individuals by teaching floral arrangement techniques fused with basic microenterprise training. The initiative, which reached 442 participants across Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, and ‘Eua in 2024, exceeded its target by 32%.

Participants learned practical, low-cost floral design using local and reusable materials, as well as how to price their work, cost labour, and generate informal income by catering to social functions. These skills will help participants manage small businesses, increase family income, and reduce economic dependency.

Participant stories reflect the program’s wide-reaching impact.

“There were eight of us in the group, and we’re stewardesses of our church. To our surprise we won four different prizes in the categories, and that has brought us even closer together” – Moala Tonga, Fua’amotu, Tongatapu

“I had prior knowledge of floral arrangement, but I learned so much more. Now I run a small floral business, and my husband built a greenhouse so I can grow my own flowers.” – Mrs. Finau, Pangai, ‘Eua Island.

“I adapted techniques I learned during training and now sell small floral pieces. I make about T$150 a week and save the income from prize money and sales.” – Makilita Satini, Kolofo’ou, Tongatapu

Flower arrangement workshop. Image: Tonga Leitī Association.

Participants have reported increased confidence, improved financial decision-making, and strengthened social support. Some have saved income or reinvested in their gardens. TLA’s approach has sparked calls for greater promotion and integration of floral skills into Tonga’s national cultural calendar, such as Heilala Week and the Agricultural Show. Retired teacher and community advocate Makilita praised the leitī community’s talents and recommended that government ministries partner with TLA to expand the program.

“Their talent speaks volumes to their contribution to society, to our culture and to our way of life despite the stigmatization they face. They [leitīs] are essential to sustaining our traditional knowledge.” – Makilita Satini, Kolofo’ou, Tongatapu.

The program’s success shows that traditional knowledge, when combined with practical enterprise skills, can foster inclusive, sustainable development. It also underscores the importance of informal economies in building local resilience and reducing rural poverty.