While hundreds gather this morning to mark the 100 years commemoration of ANZAC, for Francis Joseph Meredith and his family, it is extra special.

The 93-year-old is the sole survivor of the Samoa Local Defence Force, Machine Gun Platoon in 1942. This was under New Zealand. His platoon teams were even recalled for stand-by during the Second World War in 1945.

For the Meredith family, the tribute to their father and grandfather, proved to be an emotional experience.

Frank had served in the First World War in 1915.

President of the R.S.A., Tuala Joe Ponifasio said that the late Frank Meredith joined the RNIR in 1915 as part of the RNZEF and had truly served his time as a soldier of war in overseas engagements.

According to the records from his grandson, Cedric Meredith, the R.S.A. traced his movements throughout his service career and went through his service records.

“Frank was a man of courage.

Frank was there through the pain, fear and suffering, the wet and cold, the adversity and uncertainty of war.”

Frank returned as a decorated soldier. He was awarded a British Victory Medal and New Zealand Service Medal and others in recognition of his service. Frank now lies at the Maagiagi Cemetery and will be honoured during the ANZAC day commemoration programme.

Tuala also paid tribute to Francis Meredith who enlisted with the New Zealand Army. He was trained by the New Zealand expeditionary Force in 1942 as a local soldier in what was then called the Samoa Local Defence Force. “The Gun platoon was set up with the sole purpose to protect Samoa from any invasions and potential enemy attacks.”

Frank had told the R.S.A. that one of his roles in the platoon amongst other things was to make sure the stationery or fix machine gun continues to fire by cooling it down with water so it would continue to fire.

“A task that sounds so simple and maybe trivial to anyone but in battle, us Infantry men with light weaponry rely on the guns to continue firing in order to suppress enemy fire. It’s a job that Francis performed with pride and dedication.”

In January this year, the R.S.A. published a photograph of the 1942 Gun Platoon in the Samoa Observer in the hope that the families of the men in the photo would come forward and register as members of the ANZAC family. “ Much to our surprise, we received a call from Rudy Meredith to say that he had seen the paper and one of those men in the photo is his father.

And that ...he is still alive.

“I want to say to you Francis Meredith, your Father Frank and your family and all the families of the men on our ANZAC honours list – that as long as we live and through many generations to come – we shall remember and we will remember and honour you, your father and all those like you and your father who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace today.”

Tuala Joe said that the R.S.A. of Samoa is going through a rebuilding phase following the path Australia and New Zealand had taken to reform their R.S.A. to make it more liberised, less strict and to allow for a wider participation from families and the eligible public to register for membership. “The Returned Services Association of Samoa belongs to everyone. Mums and Dads, the children, the professionals and anyone who wishes to support the essence of ANZAC. I urge you all to please support your RSA so we can continue to be proud of what it stands for.”

On the 25th day of every month of the year, millions of people around the world show their support for ending violence against women and girls by wearing orange and taking part in events and activities.

In an effort to build awareness, visibility and momentum for this campaign in Samoa, UN Women and Digicel Samoa are launching a national text campaign.

Starting in April, every Orange Day UN Women and Digicel Samoa will be sending out a national text message on the 25th of every month with empowering messages for the Samoan community to serve both as a reminder and a call for action.

The partnership is a continuation of last year’s successful “16 Ways to End Violence” campaign that ran during the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender-Based Violence, from November 25-December 10. As part of the campaign, Digicel sponsored UN Women’s “16 Ways to End Violence against Women” photography contest and promoted the brochure through local newspapers and via social media.

Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic and a serious issue in Samoa; 46 per cent of the country’s women experience physical and/ or sexual violence from an intimate partner during their lifetime, while 62 per cent experience physical violence from a non-partner. The monthly Orange Day is part of the countdown to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. In April Orange Day is especially calling on men and boys to stand up and speak out about violence against women and girls in their communities, and to show their support for ending it by wearing orange and signing on to UN Women’s HeForShe campaign.

HeForShe is a global solidarity campaign to end gender inequality that was launched in 2014. It calls on men and boys to support women in not only calling for an end to gender inequality, but in taking action to change attitudes, behaviours and policies around the world.

In a further sign of Digicel Samoa’s commitment to gender equality, senior management – including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operations Officer – signed on to HeForShe ahead of April’s Orange Day.

“Ending gender inequality and violence against women requires the efforts of women and men, girls and boys, the private sector, governments and civil society,” says UN Women’s Deputy Representative at the Fiji Multi- Country Office, Nicolas Burniat. “Mobile technology is a particularly effective way of spreading that message to a wide variety of people in both urban and rural areas of Samoa, so it is fantastic to have Digicel Samoa’s support, both for ending violence against women and our HeForShe campaign.”

Digicel Samoa’s CEO, Fia’ailetoa Pepe Christian Fruean, agrees.

“Digicel is committed to gender equality by actively supporting the advancement of women through job creation in the area of ICT.”

A centre where young people can discuss concerns and issues about sexual reproductive health was opened at the CA and CT Chan Mow Plaza at Savalalo yesterday.

The Youth Friendly Drop Centre is part of the Samoa Family Planning Association.

Together with the Ministry of Women, Culture and Social Development, the centre provides counseling services for young people in a safe and confidential environment.

It is equipped to provide options for out of school time. It is also a safe place for youth to socialize and participate in educational and personal enrichment activities in a space where young people can study, enjoy recreational activities and socialize with other youth in a constructive atmosphere.

Minister of Health, Tuitama Leao Dr. Talalelei Tuitama highlighted the sensitivities surrounding sexual reproduction health and rights and that due to cultural taboos, were not openly discussed within the family, church or at the villages.

“Clearly parents have not learned how to impart information that is so sensitive to their children,” Tuitama said.

“It is my firm belief that programs such as this Drop in Centre will be able to teach our young people to talk about these sensitive issues openly and respectfully, so that one day when they become parents, they can break the cycle of silence and truly protect and nurture the lives of their children through open and respectful dialogue.”

During these periods of social change and globalization, Tuitama believes that we need to be alert of opportunities to learn and understand new ideas and concepts.

This will help deal with the challenges of change encountered today.

“One of the objectives of the health sector is to create youth friendly health centers to be visited by young people.” he added.

The centre will be looked after by the Family Health program and youth officers and volunteers whilst permanent staffs are being recruited.

Hundreds gathered near the Town Clock at Apia, yesterday, to witness the dawn parade and service to mark the ANZAC commemoration of 100 years.

The clock is also a World War I Memorial and bears the names of all who had served during the war.

There were dignitaries, families, tourists, students and expatriates who work here.

The mood was sombre as the Police Band slowly led the parade from the Returned and Services Association (R.S.A.) Building.

Samoa and Tonga would have been the first countries in the world, to hold the dawn services.

Father Ben Tapelu, who conducted prayer service, said that this was an important time to pause and consider the price of conflict and war, not only at Gallipolli, but at this present time.

“The cost is borne not only by those who do the fighting but worse off, the cost to those who were at home awaiting, the [return] of their sons and daughters, from war.

“I can remember and recall some of these with some of my comrades who are here this morning, when we were serving on the frontline. There’s nothing we can do but to face the enemy.”

It is important that one should pause and reflect on what this means for us as a nation, to remember our forefathers and leaders of our country, who gave their lives and bloodshed for peace and freedom.

“This morning, let us remember the sacrifice that all fallen comrades and countrymen made for us, for it is the dawn of a new day that God has given us, through the Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

The Assistant Secretary of R.S.A., Peter Jensen is a Samoan who retired from the New Zealand Navy after 34 years of service.

“On this day in the darkness, 100 years ago, before dawn, the ANZAC stormed the shore, a place now known as ANZAC Cove.”

He paid tribute to the Samoan born soldiers and those of Australian descent, who had served in WWI.

There were Samoans who had served in the Australian Imperial Forces and for New Zealand. There were also Samoans in the United States Forces.

Mr Jensen also paid tribute to Francis Meredith, the 93-year-old, who is the sole survivor of the Samoa Local Defence Force, Machine Gun Platoon in 1942.

In the crowd of spectators, was Australian volunteer, Patrick Lyden.

He and his friends were in town at the start of the parade.

He has lived in Samoa for seven months and works at the Disaster Management Office.

“It’s a good occasion. It’s good to remember all those that served and fought for our freedoms in the war.”

For New Zealander, Patrick Willock of Gisbourne, to be at the ceremony in Samoa, was special. His father served overseas and his uncle was killed in battle.

The ANZAC dawn parade and service is one that he attends at home, annually. Mr Willock is here for the fishing competition that starts this week. “This is really moving,” Mr.Willock said.

Another New Zealander, Jess Thompson, has been in Samoa for three months and works at SASNOC.

“To be able to see that Samoa is actually recognizing the ANZAC service...it’s really special to be here.”

The Manu Samoa selectors yesterday named 58 players in their wider training group and selection pool for the Manu’s 2015 campaigns including the Rugby World Cup.

Head Coach Stephen Betham said that in addition to the 58 named yesterday, the coaching team hoped to add additional names closer to the squad selection date.

Betham said the coaching team’s visits to UK based players had been positive with all players visited making themselves available for Samoa’s 2015 campaigns.

Manu Samoa will play a historic match against the World Champion All Blacks at Apia Park on 8 July, before heading to the United States and Canada to play in the Pacific Nations Cup.

“We had some very positive conversations with Samoan players in the United Kingdom and we have returned positive that we will be able to select a strong and experienced side from this group,” Betham said.

“Like other Pacific Nations we are faced with the reality of trying to prepare for our campaigns with players who are largely now based in countries outside the Pacific, and including Japan.

“The benefit for us, is that obviously the work ethic and training programmes for these players remains a strong focus which is important when you can’t always assemble them for training camps,” he said. Many of those players also contributed suggestions to the Manu Samoa’s preparation plans.

“We’ve taken on board feedback from those players, and we think our campaigns will be much stronger as a result. We have also had positive conversations with the Pacific Island Players Association who have been incredibly supportive of our Samoan players and our desire to strengthen our relationships with them,” Betham said.

The Manu Samoa squad of 38 to be considered for the All Blacks and the Pacific Nations Cup will be named about a month prior to those campaigns.

The squad of 31 to travel to the US for the Pacific Nations Cup will be named on Thursday 9 July, the day after the All Blacks Test match.

The Rugby World Cup squad will be named in early August.

Meanwhile, the Samoa Rugby Union is in full swing with its preparation for the All Blacks Test match.

Interim C.E.O, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i said while ticket sales were strong, there were still General Admission tickets available.

Redevelopment of Apia Park was the biggest piece of work that was being undertaken and all efforts were being made to complete the project by the scheduled June handover of the venue.

The extended squad:

FORWARDS:

Albert Anae (Treviso),
Aniseko Sio (Leicester Tigers),
Anthony Perenise (Bristol),
Jake Grey (Samoa A),
James Johnston (Saracens),
Logovii Mulipola (Leicester Tigers),
Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Francais),
Viliamu Afatia (Agen),
Andrew Williams (Samoa A),
Maatulimanu Leiataua (Aurillac),
Tii Paulo (Clermont),
Wayne Ole Avei (Bordeaux),
Teofilo Paulo (Cardiff Blues),
Maselino Paulino (Samoa A),
Kane Thompson (Newcastle Falcons),
Iosefa Tekori (Toulouse),
Faatiga Lemalu (Sannix Blues),
Daniel Leo (London Irish),
Alafoti Faosiliva (Bath),
Faifili Levave (Toyota),
Francis Ieremia (Samoa A),
Jack Lam (Bristol),
Maurie Fa’asavalu (Oyonnax), 
Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish),
Oneone Faafou (Samoa A),
Peter Saili (Bordeaux),
Peter Semeane (Samoa A),
Taiasina Tuifua (Bordeaux),
Tala James Ioane (Sale Sharks),
Vavae Tuilagi (Carcassonne)

BACKLINE

Jack Taulapapa (Wellington),
Kahn Fotuali’i (Northampton),
Peleifofoga Cowley (Auckland),
Vavao Afemai (Samoa A),
Michael Stanley (Ulster),
Patrick Fa’apale (Samoa A),
Tusiata Pisi (Suntory),
Alapati Leiua (Wasps),
Anitelea Tuilagi (Newcastle),
Faialaga Afamasaga (Samoa A),
Faleniu Iosi (Samoa A),
George Pisi (Northampton),
Johnny Leota (Sale),
Reynold Lee Lo (Hurricanes),
Winston Stanley (Northland),
Ah See Tuala (Northampton),
Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle),
Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle),
David Lemi (Bristol),
Ken Pisi (Northampton),
Paul Perez (Natal Sharks),
Sailosi Tagicakibau (Wasps),
Sinoti Sinoti (Newcastle),
Henry Suau’u (Samoa A),
Faatoina Autagavaia (Nevers),
Paul Williams (Stade Francais),
Tim Nanai Williams (Chiefs),
Titi Esau (Samoa A).

The Manu Samoa selectors yesterday named 58 players in their wider training group and selection pool for the Manu’s 2015 campaigns including the Rugby World Cup.

Head Coach Stephen Betham said that in addition to the 58 named yesterday, the coaching team hoped to add additional names closer to the squad selection date.

Betham said the coaching team’s visits to UK based players had been positive with all players visited making themselves available for Samoa’s 2015 campaigns.

Manu Samoa will play a historic match against the World Champion All Blacks at Apia Park on 8 July, before heading to the United States and Canada to play in the Pacific Nations Cup.

“We had some very positive conversations with Samoan players in the United Kingdom and we have returned positive that we will be able to select a strong and experienced side from this group,” Betham said.

“Like other Pacific Nations we are faced with the reality of trying to prepare for our campaigns with players who are largely now based in countries outside the Pacific, and including Japan.

“The benefit for us, is that obviously the work ethic and training programmes for these players remains a strong focus which is important when you can’t always assemble them for training camps,” he said. Many of those players also contributed suggestions to the Manu Samoa’s preparation plans.

“We’ve taken on board feedback from those players, and we think our campaigns will be much stronger as a result. We have also had positive conversations with the Pacific Island Players Association who have been incredibly supportive of our Samoan players and our desire to strengthen our relationships with them,” Betham said.

The Manu Samoa squad of 38 to be considered for the All Blacks and the Pacific Nations Cup will be named about a month prior to those campaigns.

The squad of 31 to travel to the US for the Pacific Nations Cup will be named on Thursday 9 July, the day after the All Blacks Test match.

The Rugby World Cup squad will be named in early August.

Meanwhile, the Samoa Rugby Union is in full swing with its preparation for the All Blacks Test match.

Interim C.E.O, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i said while ticket sales were strong, there were still General Admission tickets available.

Redevelopment of Apia Park was the biggest piece of work that was being undertaken and all efforts were being made to complete the project by the scheduled June handover of the venue.

The extended squad:

FORWARDS:

Albert Anae (Treviso),
Aniseko Sio (Leicester Tigers),
Anthony Perenise (Bristol),
Jake Grey (Samoa A),
James Johnston (Saracens),
Logovii Mulipola (Leicester Tigers),
Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Francais),
Viliamu Afatia (Agen),
Andrew Williams (Samoa A),
Maatulimanu Leiataua (Aurillac),
Tii Paulo (Clermont),
Wayne Ole Avei (Bordeaux),
Teofilo Paulo (Cardiff Blues),
Maselino Paulino (Samoa A),
Kane Thompson (Newcastle Falcons),
Iosefa Tekori (Toulouse),
Faatiga Lemalu (Sannix Blues),
Daniel Leo (London Irish),
Alafoti Faosiliva (Bath),
Faifili Levave (Toyota),
Francis Ieremia (Samoa A),
Jack Lam (Bristol),
Maurie Fa’asavalu (Oyonnax), 
Ofisa Treviranus (London Irish),
Oneone Faafou (Samoa A),
Peter Saili (Bordeaux),
Peter Semeane (Samoa A),
Taiasina Tuifua (Bordeaux),
Tala James Ioane (Sale Sharks),
Vavae Tuilagi (Carcassonne)

BACKLINE

Jack Taulapapa (Wellington),
Kahn Fotuali’i (Northampton),
Peleifofoga Cowley (Auckland),
Vavao Afemai (Samoa A),
Michael Stanley (Ulster),
Patrick Fa’apale (Samoa A),
Tusiata Pisi (Suntory),
Alapati Leiua (Wasps),
Anitelea Tuilagi (Newcastle),
Faialaga Afamasaga (Samoa A),
Faleniu Iosi (Samoa A),
George Pisi (Northampton),
Johnny Leota (Sale),
Reynold Lee Lo (Hurricanes),
Winston Stanley (Northland),
Ah See Tuala (Northampton),
Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle),
Alofa Alofa (La Rochelle),
David Lemi (Bristol),
Ken Pisi (Northampton),
Paul Perez (Natal Sharks),
Sailosi Tagicakibau (Wasps),
Sinoti Sinoti (Newcastle),
Henry Suau’u (Samoa A),
Faatoina Autagavaia (Nevers),
Paul Williams (Stade Francais),
Tim Nanai Williams (Chiefs),
Titi Esau (Samoa A).

Dr. Malakai Koloamatagi's background says a lot about where he is now. One can almost say his journey was earmarked to reach the academic pinnacle it has the moment his father gave him some fatherly advice.

“I don't want you to succeed so I can reap the rewards,” the young Malakai was told. “I want you to succeed so you can enjoy the fruits of your success for I am happy and content of what I have, and what I had achieved.”

Which is precisely what has happened. Unfortunately, for Dr. Malakai Koloamatangi, his father died six months before he graduated with a PhD from Auckland University.

But his father’s words will never leave him.

Dr. Koloamatangi left Tonga at the age of ten to come to NZ with his parents. He had no say about leaving Tonga and his biggest regret of doing so was not attending Tonga High School, one of the highest ranked schools in Tonga at the time.

“Going to Tonga High School was like going to heaven, so I missed an opportunity to go heaven,” he said.

He had just sat an exam to determine what class he would be in high school after intermediate. And before the results were announced about what class he would attend 'in heaven' his parents left Tonga and the comfortable lifestyle they had.

His parents bought a house in the Grey Lynn suburb in central Auckland, an area many Pacifi c immigrants congregated at when they got to New Zealand. He attended St Pauls College and decades later, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and a PhD from the university of Auckland.

The PhD that got him anointed a Professor was achieved after his thesis, titled –Constitutionalism, Culture and Democracy; Tongan Politics was completed in 1996, six months after his father passed away in 1998. He achieved his PhD while teaching at the university “I was called into the hospital to see him,” says Dr. Koloamatangi. “The doctor told me he may not last through the night but his defi ance about the doctor's prognosis was typical him, saying, “The doctor can't tell when I'm going to die. He is not my doctor, the one up there (pointing to the sky) is my doctor.”

“Then we talked about the pact that we made years before about him seeing me through to my PhD graduation. He told me, "You know that island when you sail into Nukualofa?

You can see Nukualofa from that island. That island is where I am now, I can see your graduation and I am happy about that, it's like seeing Nukualofa. Six months after he passed away, I got my PhD.”

Dr Koloamatangi's vast knowledge about politics had afforded him the opportunity to commentate in the media in New Zealand and Australia about Tongan issues. Prior to his move to the Canterbury University, he spent two years working as an election strategist for the Alliance Party at their out of Parliament offi ce in Auckland. He left Auckland for the Canterbury University in 2003 to join their National Centre for Research on Europe in 2003 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow on a two-year term.

The ten years he spent in the Canterbury University he was also the Acting Director of the Macmillian Brown Centre for Research in Europe where he taught European Union politics. Then in 2010 he became the inaugural director of the Pacific Excellence and took over the centre for Pacific study at the university.

In 2013, Dr Koloamatangi applied and got a job as a Pasifika Director at Massey University at Albany, Auckland.

It meant a return to Auckland for his family who by now have had enough of the arctic weather they've endured in the south island for a decade. The move was made easier because they have a house in the Grey Lynn suburb that they moved straight into. They rented it out while they were in Christchurch.

Dr Malakai Koloamatangi found his old stomping ground in Auckland much different to the place he left. The demographic had changed and there were more people and 'definitely much more brown faces'. “And around the Herne Bay area had become more exclusive with limited access to the beaches,” he lamented.

His role at the Massey University is to support and nurture the Pacific islands students at the campus, encourage them to participate in the academic life of the university as well as promote research based on Pacific island values, ethics and priorities.

It's a strategy that he had been working on with the support of other Pasifika staff at the campus. They have set themselves a challenge of churning out a lot more PhD graduates by the year 2020. It's a target they believe in for the Pasifika students and are on course to achieve. So far, they have over 20 PhD graduates since the concept started and three of them, a Tongan and two Samoans are graduating on the 22nd April 2013.

“We will continue to push for more of our Pasifika students attending Massey University and a lot more graduating.

We are on target with our strategy. We'll continue to lift the bar for them, some of whom travelled all the way from south Auckland. There has been an increase in student numbers from 300 a few years ago to about 1000 now and that is good for our community. The more graduates we have the better their chances of getting goodpaying jobs and that is good for our Pasifika people.”

Dr Malakai Koloamatangi says it's an honour to be at the forefront of the University that supports the development and the care of the Pasifika staff, students and research.

The skills he had accumulated into his bag of wealth about the academic nuances and experience in international and national Pasifi ka development, and an extensive political nous in a role that includes finding ways to forge academic pathways and to champion the strategies that will enable the students to thrive at the campus are the right tools that can realise the potential of the Pasifika students.

He has also a Mafua-'ae-Lukutai title that was bestowed onto his father by the late King Tupou IV. It was the last title King Tupou during his reign before he passed away.

Dr Malakai Koloamatangi may have missed out on the opportunity to 'go to heaven' that is the Tonga High School.

But he had accomplished what his father envisaged was to be his destiny – to reward himself with his own accomplishments.

Twenty mothers from across the country are vying for the top prize in the “Mum of the Year” competition, which kick started yesterday afternoon at the Samoa Tourism Authority grounds.

The competition is being organised by TV1.

It is the twin of a similar programme filmed last year for fathers in the lead up to Fathers Day.

Competition host, Sioeli Alofaifo, told the Samoa Observer that the competition is to give mothers a taste of what fathers experienced last year.

“This event is especially for the mothers as they are getting ready for Mother’s Day next week,” he said.

“This is an annual programme and we are giving the chance to the mothers to try and see if they can perform the role of fathers.

“Last year, the fathers were given the chance to do motherly duties and chores at home. So this year, we decided to give the opportunity to the mothers to try their hand at what fathers usually do.”

Mr. Alofaifo said they are mindful that in many families, there are times when mothers are asked to stand in as a mother and father.

“So this programme will show that if the father leaves, or get sick, the mother will be quite capable of doing fatherly duties to take care of her family. That’s the whole purpose of the competition.”

The competition will feature in six episodes over two weeks.

“During the registration week, only twelve mothers were supposed to be registered.

However there were a lot of mothers who wanted to join and so therefore TV1 decided to give twenty mothers the chance to compete.

“So twenty mothers are competing and today five of these mothers will be eliminated from the competition.”

The first day of the competition saw the contestants compete in coconut husking and basket weaving.

The first prize of the competition is $1,000 cash together with other prizes from Samoa Stationery and Books, S.T.A and Digicel.

Members of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S) at Vailoa-tai celebrated the official dedication of their new church building during the weekend.

The opening was attended by the church’s leadership as well as friends and supporters of the project.

According to Reverend Meatuai Fa’asavalu, the celebration was to acknowledge the hand of God over the project as well as to celebrate the spirit with which their congregation came together to complete the building.

The project cost $587,000, he said, and the work was completed within twelve months, “We feel so blessed and thankful that members of the church were able to work together to complete the project,” said Rev. Fa’asavalu.

“I would like to acknowledge the hand and the grace of God that has made this project possible.

“We are also extremely grateful to everyone who helped out.

“The work is beautiful and we should give all the glory and honour to the Lord.”

Rev. Meatuai Fa’asavalu and his wife Silivia said the new building is an exciting time for the church in their endevours to carry out the work of God on earth.

The Tanoa Tusitala Hotel’s inaugural Hospitality Championship hosted during the weekend has been hailed a tremendous success. 

Held on Friday and Saturday at the Hotel, the Chefs competition kicked off proceedings, followed by other competitions involving sheet folding and other key skill areas in the hospitality industry.

Chief Guests included the Chief Executive Officer of Samoa Tourism Authority, Papali’i Sonja Hunter, Liz Gadd, of A.P.T.C. and Tanoa Tusitala Chairman, YP Reddy. They were witnesses and judged the enthusiastic teams, which competed in various categories.

The chefs competition was followed by the bar staff presenting their unique concoctions of different drinks. Other contributions came from the maintenance and gardening team who built a functional “Jungle Gym” and finance team who had to solve a series of mind bending problems without a calculator.

But perhaps the event that attracted the most excitement and attention was the bed making competition which saw Tanoa’s housekeeping ladies make beds to specifications and within a time limit.

A lunch was then followed by a hospitalitythemed “amazing race” which ended the day on a high. General Manager of Tanoa, Jason Strickland, said the guests were extremely excited. The C.E.O was so excited she made a suggestion to the Hotel.

“Such was her excitement that she has indicated that this should become an annual event that would include other hotels and restaurants in Samoa,” said Mr. Strickland.

“Liz Gadd too shared her thoughts on the initiative and with her extensive background in training saw great merit in Tanoa Tusitala initiatives that continue the great work of A.P.T.C.”

Trophies and medals were then presented with the final word from Tanoa Chairman, Mr. YP Reddy, underscoring the company’s ethos of family and “our people.”

Here are some images from the competition.

Fishing was slow and low key on the first day of the 19th Annual Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament yesterday.

At the crack of dawn, 23 boats headed out from the Matautu Wharf for the official start of the week-long tournament.

According to the organisers, most of yesterday’s catches were tagged and released.

Here are some images from the first day of fishing.

As we commemorate ANZAC Day this year it is important to shine light on our Samoan soldiers who gave their lives to fight in WWI.

The most dramatic consequences of WWI were the human ones. It was the first time that the world had such a ‘connected’ traumatic experience.

For this reason, every enquiry into the lives of soldiers’ experiences is of great importance, regardless of how subjective or fragmented those lines of enquiries may be.

Whether we agree with them or not, they are full of insights of our people’s experiences and truths about them. Our understanding of their personal experiences as soldiers, as humans, will not only shape but sustain the memory of these sons of Samoa.

It is amazing how a local European event in 1914 ensnared the lives of indigenous populations, in far flung corners of the globe such as Samoa. That little event in the Balkans swelled into a world war and altered realities for millions.

What made the war infectious was the fact that those European authorities involved in the turmoil were also intercontinental empires. It is heavily documented in Samoan and New Zealand history that British colonial capillaries webbed into the Pacific, animated the New Zealand military to take over Samoa immediately after WWI broke out.

Yet very little is known about the lives of Samoan soldiers, who were affected by these colonial entanglements.

Private Allan Williams was one such individual who expressed his patriotic spirit by travelling to New Zealand with other Samoan young men to join the war. Allan was born in the district of Aleipata, where his father, Alan Williams (Snr) was running a boat building and carpentry operation. His mother was Faala from Matautu, Lefaga.

Allan was the eldest of ten children and his family were members of the Church of England. His Anglican affiliation and the social relations with the part European Samoans shaped his enthusiasm to enlist. Allan was not at the Gallipoli campaign which saw many New Zealand and Australian soldiers had their baptism of fire 100 years ago. However, his trade as a carpenter placed him in a position where he was able to get news from sailing crews about the atrocities in Gallipoli and sparked a patriotic affections in the young carpenter.

Moreover, being the eldest son, he must have felt obligated to answer the call to arm, a price one has to pay for citizenship.

He enlisted with the 4th Maori Contingent on the 23 December 1915, at the age of 24. He underwent strict military training together with the other Samoan soldiers he enlisted with, at Narrow Neck Military Camp in Auckland and later at Trentham, Wellington. Six months later, he embarked on the TS ‘Tahiti’ from Wellington, New Zealand for Devonport, England as part of the 14th Reinforcements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF). Once in Europe he was transferred to the Pioneer Maori Battalion and was placed in the Rarotonga Company.

This was a special unit draw together mostly by the famous Maori Member of Parliament, the Honorable Maui Pomare; to make up the numbers of the Maori Battalion.

Allan was a picture of health when he first enlisted. A month after he joined the Pioneer Battalion at the front, he became sick with influenza, trench fever and pneumonia.

These illnesses heavily punctuated his presence while on active services in Britain, France and Egypt. Apart from being a soldier, Allan was also a young man in his prime, exploring his new social environment and enjoying a drink or two when he had the chance.

An interesting entry in his army personnel file showed how he was forfeited ten days pay for drunkenness and for violently resisting the military police.

But the cold weather and the damp conditions of the trenches caused Allan to be constantly sick the entire time he was at the front. In June 1918 while in Cairo, he was noted to be ‘dangerously ill’ from an infection of the right mastoid and died from it on the 26 July.

He was given a soldier’s burial at Ramleh War Cemetery in Jaffa, in what was then Palestine but is now part of Israel.

Private Allan Williams’ journey as a soldier characterized the colonial entanglement experienced by many soldiers at the same time. He was a part European Samoan who fought to defend the British Empire with the NZEF. He was placed with the celebrated yet politicized Pioneer Maori Battalion and died as a ‘Rarotonga soldier’.

What Allan might or might not have considered was that the same expeditionary force he was a member of, was responsible for the Spanish influenza that killed some 23% of the Samoan population, including his father and most of his family which left a generation gap in the family. Most of his father’s relatives who survived the influenza left Samoa and resettled with other relatives in Fiji. Allan’s siblings, mostly girls moved with the rest of the family, breaking communications with the New Zealand army authorities.

No record exists about how Allan’s family was notified of his death. However, his personnel file showed that the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) sent his WWI scroll, plaque and medals to his father in Apia in 1922. These were returned. The NZDF then sent them to his brother, Ezra in Lautoka, who worked for the Colonial Sugar Refinery Company but were returned a year later.

As a relative, I enquired to the NZDF about this and requested a reprint or a copy of the scroll so I can see an image because no photograph of Allan exists.

However, I was informed this was not possible. I was disappointed because I thought that having a visual image would bring some closure to the family. I changed focus and thought I would try to find the grave of this young Samoan soldier. The New Zealand RSA directed me to the War Graves Photographic Project based in Great Britain in association with the Commonwealth war graves. I paid a small donation to thank them for helping me and after a few days, I was sent a digital picture of his grave. I was emotional when I looked at the photograph for the first time. I felt a sense of relief, seeing his grave with his fallen comrades.

This is not just the story of Private Allan Williams. It is a Samoan and a global story as well. It illuminates how WWI as an event caused colonial subjects to be entangled in war politics at the many theatres in Europe and Northern Africa.

It shaped peoples personal identities and willingly set out 100 years ago to justify it by shedding blood for God, King and country at the time. It is a story that illustrates how wars heightened people’s living experiences at the home front, altering the realities of the present generations. Private Allan Willams’ illustrates that the greatest consequence of war is a human one.

Dr. Malakai Koloamatagi's background says a lot about where he is now. One can almost say his journey was earmarked to reach the academic pinnacle it has the moment his father gave him some fatherly advice.

“I don't want you to succeed so I can reap the rewards,” the young Malakai was told. “I want you to succeed so you can enjoy the fruits of your success for I am happy and content of what I have, and what I had achieved.”

Which is precisely what has happened. Unfortunately, for Dr. Malakai Koloamatangi, his father died six months before he graduated with a PhD from Auckland University.

But his father’s words will never leave him.

Dr. Koloamatangi left Tonga at the age of ten to come to NZ with his parents. He had no say about leaving Tonga and his biggest regret of doing so was not attending Tonga High School, one of the highest ranked schools in Tonga at the time.

“Going to Tonga High School was like going to heaven, so I missed an opportunity to go heaven,” he said.

He had just sat an exam to determine what class he would be in high school after intermediate. And before the results were announced about what class he would attend 'in heaven' his parents left Tonga and the comfortable lifestyle they had.

His parents bought a house in the Grey Lynn suburb in central Auckland, an area many Pacifi c immigrants congregated at when they got to New Zealand. He attended St Pauls College and decades later, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and a PhD from the university of Auckland.

The PhD that got him anointed a Professor was achieved after his thesis, titled –Constitutionalism, Culture and Democracy; Tongan Politics was completed in 1996, six months after his father passed away in 1998. He achieved his PhD while teaching at the university “I was called into the hospital to see him,” says Dr. Koloamatangi. “The doctor told me he may not last through the night but his defi ance about the doctor's prognosis was typical him, saying, “The doctor can't tell when I'm going to die. He is not my doctor, the one up there (pointing to the sky) is my doctor.”

“Then we talked about the pact that we made years before about him seeing me through to my PhD graduation. He told me, "You know that island when you sail into Nukualofa?

You can see Nukualofa from that island. That island is where I am now, I can see your graduation and I am happy about that, it's like seeing Nukualofa. Six months after he passed away, I got my PhD.”

Dr Koloamatangi's vast knowledge about politics had afforded him the opportunity to commentate in the media in New Zealand and Australia about Tongan issues. Prior to his move to the Canterbury University, he spent two years working as an election strategist for the Alliance Party at their out of Parliament offi ce in Auckland. He left Auckland for the Canterbury University in 2003 to join their National Centre for Research on Europe in 2003 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow on a two-year term.

The ten years he spent in the Canterbury University he was also the Acting Director of the Macmillian Brown Centre for Research in Europe where he taught European Union politics. Then in 2010 he became the inaugural director of the Pacific Excellence and took over the centre for Pacific study at the university.

In 2013, Dr Koloamatangi applied and got a job as a Pasifika Director at Massey University at Albany, Auckland.

It meant a return to Auckland for his family who by now have had enough of the arctic weather they've endured in the south island for a decade. The move was made easier because they have a house in the Grey Lynn suburb that they moved straight into. They rented it out while they were in Christchurch.

Dr Malakai Koloamatangi found his old stomping ground in Auckland much different to the place he left. The demographic had changed and there were more people and 'definitely much more brown faces'. “And around the Herne Bay area had become more exclusive with limited access to the beaches,” he lamented.

His role at the Massey University is to support and nurture the Pacific islands students at the campus, encourage them to participate in the academic life of the university as well as promote research based on Pacific island values, ethics and priorities.

It's a strategy that he had been working on with the support of other Pasifika staff at the campus. They have set themselves a challenge of churning out a lot more PhD graduates by the year 2020. It's a target they believe in for the Pasifika students and are on course to achieve. So far, they have over 20 PhD graduates since the concept started and three of them, a Tongan and two Samoans are graduating on the 22nd April 2013.

“We will continue to push for more of our Pasifika students attending Massey University and a lot more graduating.

We are on target with our strategy. We'll continue to lift the bar for them, some of whom travelled all the way from south Auckland. There has been an increase in student numbers from 300 a few years ago to about 1000 now and that is good for our community. The more graduates we have the better their chances of getting goodpaying jobs and that is good for our Pasifika people.”

Dr Malakai Koloamatangi says it's an honour to be at the forefront of the University that supports the development and the care of the Pasifika staff, students and research.

The skills he had accumulated into his bag of wealth about the academic nuances and experience in international and national Pasifi ka development, and an extensive political nous in a role that includes finding ways to forge academic pathways and to champion the strategies that will enable the students to thrive at the campus are the right tools that can realise the potential of the Pasifika students.

He has also a Mafua-'ae-Lukutai title that was bestowed onto his father by the late King Tupou IV. It was the last title King Tupou during his reign before he passed away.

Dr Malakai Koloamatangi may have missed out on the opportunity to 'go to heaven' that is the Tonga High School.

But he had accomplished what his father envisaged was to be his destiny – to reward himself with his own accomplishments.

Mole Rolles, of Bonavista II, was a happy man yesterday evening.

The angler who hailed from Pago Pago American Samoa, hooked the biggest fish on the second day of the Samoa International Game Fishing tournament. It weighed 24.3kgs.

“We caught the fish at the south of the island late this afternoon about half past three,” he said.

“It was a very tough one but yes, we are looking forward to the next tournament on Thursday.”

Today is the women’s competition.

It starts at 8am.

There are 23 teams for this year’s competition. There are five teams from New Zealand, three from American Samoa and the rest are local anglers.

RESULTS ON DAILY STANDINGS - MONDAY 27/04/15

 1st. Place Samoa 681.30 2nd. Place American Samoa 100.00 3rd. Place New Zealand 0.00 Total 781.30

A former Cabinet Minister, Jacob John Olaf Netzler, celebrated his 75th birthday on Monday night.

The celebration was held at Marist Lotopa.

There, Mr. Netlzler was joined by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Le Mamea Ropati, colleagues, friends and relatives to celebrate the milestone.

Better known as Jack Netzler, the birthday boy was born on 25 April 1940.

He hails from Sinamoga and Moto’otua.

He was married to Leinatioletuitoga Cecilia Pereira Netzler, with four children and 22 grand children. Mr. Netzler entered Parliament as an Individual Voters M.P. in 1982. He went on to serve as the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Transport.

According to one of his children, Jasmine Netzler, their father is a hardworking man. “He is a good father and he brings out the best for his family,” she said. “He has a good sense of humor and he always puts others before himself. He is a loving man.”

Prime Minister Tuilaepa congratulated Mr. Netzler.

“Nowadays, people are lucky if they make it to 75 years old,” he said. “I want to congratulate my friend here for making it this far.”

“May the Lord continue to bless you and add many more years to your life.”

Petroleum Products Supplies Ltd (P.P.S) has launched its partnership with Gulf Western Oil (G.W.O) as the sole distributor in Samoa for their range of lubricant products.

The launch was held at Tanoa Tusitala Hotel last weekend. Gulf Western Oil is an Australian company based in Sydney, and is the largest manufacturer of lubricants in Australia.

A cocktail function was held to launch the G.W.O premium range of lubricant products in the country.

Fanene Samau Sefo, Managing Director of P.P.S, in his speech, welcomed the partnership between PPS and G.W.O.

“We are very impressed with the quality and wide range of the G.W.O products, and the competitive pricing they offer for the local market,” Fanene said.

“G.W.O also offers good technical and marketing support, and the fact that they are located in Australia close to Samoa is a plus.”

Peter McColl, the National Sales & Marketing Manager for G.W.O, said that their company is looking forward to a successful partnership with P.P.S.

He is confident that their range of products will do well in Samoa. G.W.O is the largest Australian owned independent oil company.

It has an extensive distributor network throughout Australia, NZ, Fiji and New Caledonia.

The company produces all grades of engine, diesel, transmission, gear and hydraulic oils ideal for industrial, automotive and marine use and includes all grades for farming, mining and earthmoving equipment.

All G.W.O products are formulated specifically for Australian and Pacific Rim conditions and are certified to the highest performance standards.

The launch was well attended by Government Officials and local business owners.

G.W.O products are now available to be public at the P.P.S premises at Sogi.

Boatloads of female anglers hit the water yesterday in search of the day’s biggest catch around Samoa.

Women anglers from all walks of life gathered nice an early at the Marina to kick start their day on the oceans and in the sun.

After two days of fishing for male anglers, yesterday’s segment of the Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament was specifically for the opposite sex.

And they did not disappoint, returning with some pretty good catches. Here are some images from yesterday’s Game Fishing:

The Police Commissioner, Egon Keil, is fiddling with the remote of the air condition in his office, as he tries to turn it on. He’s on a cost saving mission and for him the rules are simple.

When you leave your office and know that you’ll be gone awhile, turn the lights and the air condition off, just as you would at home.

“Now if everybody can do that in this organisation, there’s going to be huge savings,” he says.

This simple mission is just a tip of the iceberg for the changes that are slowly taking place at the Ministry of Police. It’s been three weeks since Mr. Keil’s new appointment and already, his vision towards achieving a high standard, accountable, transparent Police operation is on a roll.

He admits that these first weeks have been challenging.

There are lots to be changed and things to be fixed, he says.

Unlike in the United States where he served for many years with the Los Angeles Police Department (L.A.P.D.), in Samoa, he’s found that the issues are different and vary from personnel to fiscal.

Earlier this week, three senior police officers were suspended and have been charged.

And he expects there are more to come. There are other cases under investigation and based on its sensitivity, will seek legal advice and be acted upon accordingly.

“Its’ unacceptable behaviour,” Mr. Keil says. “It’s serious misconduct and it erodes the trust of the people. But its’ part of the changing process we have to go through in any organization with a new leader.”

It also erodes the trust of the donors.

When the donors think the money is not going where it’s supposed to go or not being used effectively, they pull back.

“That’s common sense right there.

Its’ something I’m not proud of and it’s a black eye to the Samoa Police Department but this is the beginning.”

Mr. Keil is new blood. He is the first Police Commissioner in Samoa who did not work in the Ministry.

His vision is to hold everybody accountable. He takes the appointment very seriously and holds himself and his workers accountable. But he says there are a lot of good people at the Department who are intelligent and mature.

“One thing I have told all of my personnel and have made resoundingly clear is that I don’t tolerate any form of misconduct,” he says. “What we hold the public accountable for, they break the law it’s the same rules that apply to us as well.”

“You break the law, just like everybody else, you go to jail. When allegations are made against the Police, some are proven and some are not. The Professional Standards Unit investigates misconduct by the Police and they have to be held in a higher standard than the regular police.

“And I hold them accountable to that.

Any form of bias, favouritism or whatever that negative, is not acceptable. I will not tolerate. So if I find out that you are not doing your job properly as you have been trained and taught and told by me, you too will be dealt with severely.”

It’s about how you treat people.

Even when arresting someone. There are guidelines and laws that apply specifically to that incident to abide by.

“Once you violate that law, you too can find yourself inside the same cell [as the] same person is going into.”

Mr. Keil doesn’t mince his words. That was how he was taught and that’s how he is most effective.

“I feel in my heart that this is the change that people wanted and I see it and I hear it and I’m doing it! I’m not just talking, I’m walking. I’m doing it.”

The plans

When a police officer resigns or retires and wants to migrate to Australia or New Zealand, that person will have the experience and qualifications to apply to work with the Police Department there.

This has been discussed with both High Commissions here who have indicated their support. Similar discussions will also take place with the Ambassador for the United States, China, Japan and other countries.

“That’s exactly what I want. It’s a lot, but I know it’s doable.”

Mr. Keil wants to build the department’s professionalism, the organization, skills and others, to provide a better service to the public and anybody else who visits Samoa.

This also works well with the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s hopes for an increase in tourists. And that they come to Samoa, feel comfortable and enjoy what there is to offer.

Mr. Keil aims to provide that safe environment for them, where they can spend their money, spend their time and bring their families as well. They will know Samoa is a safe place to come back to.

New police stations are planned for Salelologa, Savai’i and another at the other side of the island. Another will also be built on Upolu. Funding is being sorted. Meanwhile, at Upolu, leases are under discussion, the building structure, costing and funding.

Changing culture and mindsets Changing mindsets does not happen overnight. It needs patience, guidance and advice. Sometimes, it needs discipline.

This, Mr. Keil sees is possible through training and bringing in other officials with experience in different fields. These would include educators from local universities to conduct training such as literature and basic writing. Someone from the hospital would speak about how to deal with the mental state of customers. Yes, customers.

“I look at the people out there as our customers. Just like a business.

You’ve got to try and please them. And sometimes you cannot please them.

“If you’ve got to take somebody to jail, it’s not a pleasant experience. But that’s part of the job and the service we provide. We have to take a person out of society to protect the whole, because they violate the law. “

However, there is a certain way in dealing with people. It doesn’t have to be physical. Nor does it have to be forceful.

It’s one’s mannerisms and the ability to show some respect in using your voice command to gain compliance.

Mr. Keil said there are levels of vocal forces one can use as according to policy and within law. And with an educated police department, one can use vocal commands to gain compliance instead of resorting to brutal force.

“And that’s what I’m trying to avoid because it leads to bad things.”

Sometimes brutal force is used based on the reaction of the arrestee. If they are aggressive, then actions are made to prevent the police from getting hurt.

“So its encumbered on me as a leader, to give the best training as possible and the guidance to how to avoid that and how to counter stuff like that.”

Culture change starts from holding supervisors and managers accountable.

And from Mr Keil’s experience, most risk management issues come from the uniformed officers, the ones that do the hard work, with boots on the ground.

“So I have to focus most of my attention on that area because that’s a very critical area to me because that’s where people get hurt, where cars are being damaged and officers getting into lawsuits.”

Recruitment

The best of the best applicants to join the Police Force will be selected and trained through an Academy.

For Mr. Keil, it means recruitment, hiring and retention. It’s a double edge sword. Those who don’t comply with how things should be done or are expected to be done will not make it. It’s about training and disciplinary action will stop people from doing things that are unacceptable.

“[During] my time here, that is not going to be unacceptable. I do want to run a professional, very transparent, accountable trained police force.”

Appointed from outside the ranks Mr. Keil sees his appointment as a fresh start for the Police Department.

“I think most people are happy that they got someone in from the outside [whose] not I hate to say, tainted, but somebody who has a new perspective.”

The department needed somebody to sort through the systems, would look at the motions, hiring, examinations, regular business.

“I really applaud the government in taking the chance in doing something like this. They needed another perspective, from another angle... another side of it.

“I made it very clear that change is sometimes uncomfortable for some, but whatever change I bring, is to the benefit of the organisation, the people of Samoa and government.”

The L.A.P.D. has given him so much in experience. When Mr Keil retired, he hung up his guns, returned to Samoa and focussed on other things. But when he read about the comments made Tuilaepa, Mr Keil felt it was his calling.

“I tell you, it seems as if everything came together. A master plan from somewhere else.”

Managing without a matai title The Police Commissioner does not have a matai title and manages an organization with people who do. It was an issue he addressed when he started working at the Police Department.

“I respect age. I respect culture. I respect their tenure, time on the job. I respect all their matai titles because they all hold very high chiefly matai titles and I don’t have a title.

“However, once we’ve all put on this uniform and we’ve taken the oath, all that is out of the window. This is an organization that operates on policy and law. That comes after we take away the uniform and we do our own personal stuff. But as far as the law is concerned, it does not apply.”

Mr. Keil has received matai title offers from family at Manono, Apia, Savai’i and Lefaga. It is something he will eventually do.

“I’m Samoan too. I might’ve been abroad. I’ve got an English last name or European last name, but right down to it, I’m Samoan!”

He grew up in Apia and as a child would go fishing on the Beach Road seawall. He attended Apia Primary School, Leififi College and Avele College. Mr Keil spent most of his working life abroad. And with this new appointment, can use that to benefit Samoa.

“Now I’m back where I want to be and serving my country. And I love my country and I’m home now. This is my home, so I intend to make my home the safest place, not just for me and my family, but for every Samoan and every other person, I don’t care what nationality it is.”

The Tautua Samoa Party’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele, has a simple solution to Samoa’s growing crime problem.

He wants the government to diversify the development of the country and not just centralise in Apia. In doing so, the people would not migrate to Apia and the crime rate would not be a worry.

Afualo made the point during a press conference yesterday.

For this week alone, Police confirmed more than eight cases of theft and break-ins. There were two more cases reported to their outposts in Tuasivi, Savai’i and Lotofaga. Criminal cases involving thefts and robbery are not confined to residential homes in villages and townships. Police are concerned with an alarming rate of theft cases at work places and elsewhere that are reported to them on a weekly basis.

Afualo said that because there were no developments outside Apia and Vaitele, apart from tourism resorts, people were flocking to these areas in search of employment.

But in providing similar services available in town, for the residents in the rural areas and also at Savaii, people would stop migrating.

Afualo also urged government to look at raising the minimum income from $2 to $5 an hour. He expects that others can argue that it will hurt the business community, but he believes, Samoa is now a service sector type of country. Most jobs are in the service industry, so the minimum wage does not have a bearing on that.

“The only challenge we’re now facing from it is the exploitation of the labour and the skills but we need to make sure they get the right market value of their labour, which is I believe, if we are to go by GDP figures, the minimum wage should be at $5 an hour.”

Afualo said that if estimates are sitting now at 1.7 billion GDP, divide that by about 200,000, that’s your per capita which is about 8000 divided by the number of working days.

Despite this, Afualo does not believe Government will change the minimum wage as it would affect the private sector. “But we need to look at how the economy grows. Meanwhile the gap between the rich and the poor is getting bigger and bigger, because the rates are still sitting down.

“If that is the case ... we’re seeing a lot of crime because crime is coming up to fill that gap, because people want to sustain their livelihoods but how can they sustain without the means. And if there is nowhere to get that means, then they have to steal and break the law to get that means.”

Also despite the Government policy to complete school at your area of residency before moving to Upolu for university, more and more families are bringing their children to attend the colleges here.

“Because they know there is a difference in terms of results and quality of education delivered.” And if it works out and one secures a job, then it’s worthwhile. However, Afualo said, most families that migrate end up squatting. Some rely on street vending and some break the law. This is a direct impact of the high cost of living.

He said that Government needed social policies to cater for this growing gap in society. These people want to live around Apia and that was the only way to sustain their livelihoods.

And although there is free education in Samoa, the family still needs an income for daily needs such as food.

“That is where the problem is and then you end up with people resorting to whatever they can get their hands on. Part of this crime increase is accrued to the prisoners but whose fault is that? Some of these good citizens have never committed crimes but because of the dire situations they are in, they are forced to. And they end up there.”

Afualo said that the numbers keeps increasing and it is not a good sign for any society when the numbers of prisoners rise.

“And it does give us a good peak into the correlation between crime and the developments. If the numbers go up significantly for whatever crimes, it correlates with the cost of living that goes up.”

Samoa’s national debts of more than a billion Tala is also to blame. When you do the math, each person will be required to pay 5000 tala per head. In Samoa, an average household is about six persons, maybe more, which means they have to pay $30,000.

“Most of the households are below the poverty line. Most of them are nowhere near this 30,000 income. Most are at 3000 per annum.

“This is just overwhelmingly unsustainable and it’s an extraordinary burden on the families as well.”

Margaret Polly Godinet-Tuilagi has taught her sons to work for what they want in life.

Be humble. Respect. And don’t ride on the fame of their father and uncles.

Like their father, prominent rugby player, Lauaki Fereti Tuilagi and their uncles, Alesana, Vavae, Anitele’a, Enele and Manu, Brian and Frederic are fast following in their footsteps.

The boys, who are more than six foot tall, are studying in England and contracted with rugby clubs there.

“But we keep telling them, you’re not Manu Tuilagi, you’re not Henry Tuilagi, you are yourself,” she says.“Don’t expect to be successful in the rugby world because you’re a Tuilagi and you can play easy. You’ve got to motivate yourself and show your talents.”

Rugby has always been a part of her sons’ lives. In 2000, their uncle Alesana lived with them in England.

He trained at the academy and two years later, was selected for Manu Samoa.

When he first moved to England, Fereti was playing rugby league and switched to rugby union in 2000. It was after the Rugby Union World Cup in 1995, that he was contracted by a club in England. Over the years, he brought over his brothers, Anitelea, Enele, Vavae and then Manu.

They lived under one roof at their home at Leicester. Enele and Vavae now play for France.

In England, thanks to rugby, the Tuilagi surname is huge. And there is always that challenge for the boys to prove themselves as individuals.

For Mrs.Tuilagi, it’s important for her children to believe in themselves and be positive. It’s also important that they have faith in God and that before every game, they spend time in prayer.

And when her sons are on the field, for Mrs.Tuilagi, it’s always a relief when the game has ended. “Watching my husband, when he was playing, I was never worried, he was strong and he was big. But watching my kids play, oh, I tell you, ... I try not to worry, I pray.”

Before every game, Brian texts or calls her. Both sons know that she will pray for them.

“As a mother it’s very hard. It’s a weird feeling that comes in you. You can’t sit still. It’s a relief when the game is finished!”

Mrs Tuilagi was in Samoa for two weeks and before returning on Wednesday, spoke with the Sunday Samoan on her life as a mother, her separation from her husband and the fulfilment in completing her Master’s Degree.

It’s been twenty years since her family migrated to England, where they are now citizens.

In 2013, she completed aMSc. Accounting and Financing from De Montford University at Leicester, England. Mrs.Tuilagi now works as an Investment Management Finance Administrator, at Brewin Dolphin, which is one of the biggest stock broking companies that deals with financial planning and investment management in the United Kingdom.

Prior to that, Mrs.Tuilagi and her sons lived in Samoa from 2008 to 2011. She worked as a Senior Accounts Office at SIFA while her sons went to Robert Louis Stevenson School where Brian was Head Boy.

On their return to England, her and Fereti were already separated. It was hard to get a job and she realised that she needed to continue her studies.

It was also her way of moving on to financial independence and not having to rely on anyone for support.

“I was thinking if I get this, it opens doors to any job. This is what I’ve always wanted to get.”

And it would also help her when she finally moves back to live in Samoa, once her boys are settled.

It is her wish that they do well in both studies and rugby. They are also very good at soccer. But as long as they are able to balance these talents with their studies towards completing a degree, she’s happy.

One can make six figure sums in playing rugby but Mrs Tuilagi says, it’s a short career. Once you reach age 35 or 36, or get injured, at least that university degree is there to fall back on.

During her studying days, Mrs Tuilagi was also looking after her sons. There was a lot of pressure and she also had her marriage problems to deal with. But she says her faith in God and that determination for financial independence kept her going.

“I knew my husband and their brothers were financially secure but I didn’t want to be dependent on anyone. I just wanted to be on my own, be able to provide for my kids, give them what they ask for.”

Mrs Tuilagi said that people realize how hard it is being married to a rugby player. The husbands are rarely home. As a mother, you’re left to raise the children and fill in roles as both Mum and Dad. The husbands train, come home and rest. There are chores to attend to and dropping off and picking up the children.

Although the contract brings financial security and a home, you still have roles as a normal Samoan wife. While the palagi would hire house help, for a Samoan, it was different.

And there was always the money to send to Samoa for special occasions or for the parents.

For them, that was important.

And when the marriage started to fall apart, for Mrs Tuilagi, it was one of the most painful experiences in life.

She is thankful for the support received from friends at church, her family and the priests who offered spiritual advice.

“I trusted in the Lord and I fought for my kids. I wanted to prove that I wasn’t a stupid person. I just wanted to get going, move on, be happy, be myself. Step up and go on.”

And stepping up also motivated her to go back to studies and get that degree.

“It was the biggest successful thing I did to be independent. I challenged myself to support my kids.”

Her and Fereti are on good terms now and Mrs.Tuilagi will always be grateful to him for the opportunity to move to England.

“Whatever’s happening with my marriage now, he’s the person who supported me financially, with his love and bringing his brothers over. Whatever he’s doing, he’s the father of my children. I respect him and this is what I tell my children to do.”

But it was not easy. For Mrs.Tuilagi, they had married in a Catholic Church. She did not want her children to grow up without a father. She tried to hold onto their marriage, hold onto keeping the family together for the sake of their sons.

There were times where she would question herself and God. But there was that moment of realization where Mrs.Tuilagi accepted that perhaps God had other plans.

“Without God, I would probably be gone.

There were suicidal thoughts when I couldn’t handle the pain. I did manage to get out of it.

Why would I hold onto something that’s not there anymore? Go on. Step up. Move on! It was hard.”

And based on the Bible, she has chosen to stay married because the commitment was made in church. No man can separate a husband and wife. Only God can."

“If I’m in God’s plans, whatever God has for me, I thank the Lord. I’m blessed!”

Mrs.Tuilagi encourages any woman going through such problems in their marriage to move on.

“Why hang onto something that isn’t there anymore? You’ve got to be with the Lord who gives you all the strength. And the freedom you get! The peace you feel inside you when you reach out to the Lord! It’s amazing!

Go back and study. Look after your family.

And keep your faith in the Lord.

“YOLO. You Only Live Once,” she said laughing.