Tuvalu

Kalepo Toai

Commonwealth Youth Programme South Pacific Regional Youth Caucus      

Twenty-five year old Kalepo Toai, Kap for short, is passionate about youth – and he has to be, as a full-time volunteer in the Tuvalu youth sector.

Kalepo volunteers with the youth department of the Tuvalu Christian Church, the youth section at Tuvalu’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, and he is also, of course, Tuvalu’s representative for the CYP South Pacific Regional Youth Caucus.

“As a youth myself, I strongly believe youth are very important – everything they do affects the country as a whole; and we should try to engage youth in our respective countries and help them in whatever way they need,” says Kap.

In line with Commonwealth values, Kap believes that key to youth well-being and development is the  promotion of supportive environments which include family, kinship and community networks as core contributors to youth well-being and development.

Kalepo became the CYP South Pacific Regional Youth Caucus representative in early 2007, after he was selected by the Tuvalu National Youth Council. At the time, he was Chairperson for Seimana Youth Association and had involvement in youth issues at a church, community, island and national level.

Kap says in his role as a RYC member he not only wants to be a representative for Tuvalu youth, but for the youth of the Pacific.

“I’d like to provide more knowledge and understanding of Tuvalu youth issues and their impact, and also build awareness of what happening on the regional level, as well as the international level.”

Kap says he’s proud to be representing the South Pacific because it’s “the most peaceful place on Earth”.

Email: jr_vevea@hotmail.com