Manu Samoa coach, Stephen Betham, has defended his decision not to include veteran Manu Samoa lock, Daniel Leo, in the squad for the All Blacks and the Rugby World Cup.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Betham was blunt.

“Simply put, it was form,” Mr. Betham said, denying claims that Leo’s outspoken nature against the Samoa Rugby Union had cost him a place in the team.

Betham’s comments were backed up by a statement from the S.R.U. in which Betham was quoted as saying:

“We have worked long and hard to pick the best possible players to represent Manu Samoa - it’s as simple as that.

“We’re grateful to all the players who made themselves available for selection, but as with any squad selection – we can’t choose everyone.

“Like many other players who have worn the jersey, we are proud of the way Daniel has represented and respected the Manu, and we’re grateful for his public support of the good things that are happening and for his continued support of the Manu.”

Last week, the former captain shocked the rugby world when he announced his retirement from the Manu Samoa.

But Leo later told the Weekend Observer that he had been dropped.

“After making myself available for this year’s historic All Blacks test and Rugby World Cup, I recently received a phone call from the team management with the news that I was dropped,” he wrote.

According to Betham, there were two players he had spoken to about pulling up their socks as the club reports were not good.

They were Joe Tekori and Leo.

Betham said he told the players that if they wanted to make it to the Manu Samoa, they needed to improve.

According to Betham, Tekori’s performance improved markedly.

As for Leo, he said he had not played for London Irish Club for a year and if he did, it was for ten minutes or less.

“If he’s not good enough to play for his club, then he is not good enough to play at an international level,” Betham said. “I wish him all the best. I have high respect for him. I don’t want to hold any grudges against him.”

Betham said that there is a selection process and unfortunately, Leo was not up to standard. .

“The club doesn’t want him anymore. I’m being honest with you and if you don’t believe me then call the London Irish Club,” he said.

“We have to select from where he’s playing. We can’t select from his past performances.”

Betham said he was disappointed to read that Leo was pointing fingers.

“But I can’t pick anyone who is not playing,” he said.

Haleck Apia Motors has re-opened, this time at a new location at Vaiteleuta.

During the official opening last night, President and Chief Executive Officer, Asi Dave Haleck, also revealed a new battle plan for the company.

It involves the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, which is the “Motor Trends Truck of the Year for 2015.”

“Today, we are here and we will compete with the other major brands,” said Asi.

“We have been fortunate to secure and represent a world leader in the automotive industry.

“The Colorado is equipped with the LTZ package which offers many options.

“The Chevy Colorado 4x4 DBL Cab LTZ with automatic transmission comes with many options as you see here. It will have an introductory price of below $100,000 tala.”

Haleck Motors was previously located at Tufuiopa.

“We are not new to this business,” Asi said, noting the automotive business “is very competitive.”

“It has to be as next to purchasing a piece of land or a house the next most expensive purchase is a new vehicle,” he said.

“In the past, we offered a good truck which is a popular brand but we were not and could not be competitive. In order to be competitive, we must compete to earn our share of the market.”

Asi especially acknowledged the assistance of Lemalu Ray Ah Liki and all the staff at the Samoa Commercial Bank.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who was present during the re-launch, praised the management of Haleck Motors and wished them all the best.

About the 2015 Colorado Colorado is reinventing the midsize pickup from the frame up. It starts with the latest technology. From an available high-speed 4G LTE Wi-Fi† connection to available advanced safety features like Forward Collision Alert† and Lane Departure Warning†, this is one smart small truck. Under the hood is an available 3.6L V6 that offers an EPA-estimated best-in-class 26 MPG highway fuel economy.

But don’t let the efficiency fool you – the same V6 also provides available best-in-class towing† and payload. And all of that, combined with the sleek design and quiet, refined interior, has helped make Colorado the fastest-growing mid-size pickup in 2015.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, will be asked to support the Free West Papua movement today.

The request will be made during a meeting between Prime Minister Tuilaepa and the General Secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Octovianus Mote.

Mr. Mote is in Samoa as part of a trip around the region to meet country leaders, seeking support for their membership on the Melanesian Spearhead Group (M.S.G.) as well as the Pacific Islands Forum (P.I.F.).

In the country until Friday, Mr. Mote, who lives in exile in the United States of America, was previously in Tonga where he met King Tupou V and Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

He gained their full support.

According to Mr. Mote, when West Papua gained Independence in 1961, Samoa was one of the few countries that was represented at the celebrations.

Samoa also played a big part in taking Christianity to its shores.

West Papua also took part in the formation of the P.I.F. Later that same year, Indonesia took over and severed all ties with the region.

Now West Papua needs Samoa's help.

“The main reason why I’m here for is because West Papua is under threat today,” he told the Samoa Observer.

Mr. Mote said that the population, which was once 1.5 million, now stands at only 48 percent of that and already, his people are a minority in their own land.

Should the trend continue, in 2020, the population will be less than 23 percent.

“That means five years from now, we will lose everything. We need to stop this because Indonesia is really speeding up their colonisation.”

No journalists are allowed to access West Papua and therefore there has been no news about what is actually happening. Only last year, through social media pages that the realities in West Papua have been captured and as a result gained attention.

“I look at it as a sign from the Lord, when we don’t have anything at all, we get this.”

But there’s more. The Prime Ministers of Fiji and Papua New Guinea have not acted and identified this as an internal issue of Indonesia.

“How can you allow this? Indonesia is [slaughtering] our people. I grew up with these issues from a very, very young age. My uncles were slaughtered in front of me!”

Mr. Mote has seen his people slaughtered in the capital of Jayapura. The corpses are placed in rice bags and one could see their feet.

In those days, if you killed somebody and brought parts of their body as evidence to the Commander, a promotion was guaranteed, Mr. Mote said.

That was in the 1970’s.

In the 1980’s, there was a huge mobilisation to escape to Papua New Guinea. And at the end of the 1990’s, in the villages, a couple would be arrested and made to have sex in front of the whole village.

The flesh would be cut off a man that was slaughtered, sautéd and his family forced to eat it.

“This is not historical evidence. It is ongoing.

Not like Judaism and holocaust happenings that have already passed. At West Papua, it’s ongoing,” he said.

The movement has applied for M.S.G.

membership. Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill wants the movement to be represented by the Indonesian Governor of West Papua instead, using their application.

“We were the ones that applied. Then he says, well you applied, but I will put this Governor to sit on your application. What the heck!”

Mr. Mote says that Fiji‘s response is okay, in order for dialogue to take place, Indonesia should also be invited.

“That’s a good idea but where are we as West Papua? Will we be accepted as full members so we can actually talk to them or are you want to represent us?

“And for me as a journalist, an intellectual and a Christian, I cannot understand. On the human rights issue, Indonesia is killing a nation not a couple of people and we know for sure, there are so many academic reports about what’s happening in West Papua.

“This is not a scenario we are creating to get political support. This is a reality! For me as a Pacific Islander, as people who always help each other, you don’t want to intervene?”

The incidents in West Papua are described in academic reports as a ‘creeping genocide’.

Mr. Mote says there are four such reports by Sydney University, Yale University, the Asian Human Rights Institution in Hong Kong and even the Indonesian Human Rights Commission.

Mr. Mote wants to build awareness among Pacific Island leaders.

“I am very pleased that Civil Society and people all though the Pacific, through Facebook we have a solidarity. Nobody can stop this wave. We may be made of small islands but if you look at the Pacific Ocean, we control half of the earth. I see that there are waves when people know about it and Indonesia can never stop it.”

From Mr. Mote’s experience, it is easier to gain support from Polynesian leaders. He also has the support of Vanuatu and Kanak and is confident that Solomon Islands will come on board.

With Fiji, the movement has been endorsed by the grassroots, church leaders, indigenous people and Non-Government Organisations.

The Prime Minister is under pressure.

“Either they ignore their societies ... you can’t stop this. This is not an internal issue. This is a human rights issue!”

A Right To Protect concept endorsed by the United Nations in 2001, was about interfering with genocide. A team was set up and if there was a nation or group of people who are not protected by their own government, it is a responsibility of the U.N. and other countries to protect that group.

That, Mr. Mote says, is the concept that P.N.G. and Fiji should follow and also the P.I.F., because of the human rights tragedy.

“It’s not a war zone but a creeping genocide. It’s slow motion but done in a variety of ways.”

When military operations are conducted, villagers flee and the military waits in their gardens for them to return for food. This is when they are slaughtered. Those who choose to stay in the forests, die of malnutrition.

Pigs were injected with tape worms in 1970-71. It started at Mr. Mote’s village, when the people ate pig and spread to the border of P.N.G.

In 1968-69, the people of West Papua went to war with Indonesia, where many of their people were killed. They retaliated in 1970-71, knowing how important pigs were in their culture.

Sex workers infected with the HIV virus are sent into the villages and couple of the reports from the Catholic Church have said that the genocide is systematic and Indonesia knows when they can take over the entire land.

Women give birth and their reproduction organs are cut afterwards. Families are allowed only two children.

A research at one cemetery showed that 68 percent of deaths were of women at a reproductive age.

“You can see from this one example, you’ve lost one generation, because you have to wait for the next one,” Mr. Mote said.

“The way they do it, is like targeting and done strategically.

We really would like to argue for leaders of the Forum for West Papua human rights issues to be on the agenda.”

Meanwhile, no action has been made to address this by Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Mote says that for these nations, Indonesia is more important.

He hopes that Micronesia and Polynesia will push for Australia and New Zealand for support as part of the Pacific.

“You cannot turn a blind eye. You want to be Asia, go for Asia! Prime Minister of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji stand up for what they believe.

Australia, you can exist and be part of the [Pacific Islands Forum] but you can’t dictate us.

“You can’t allow this only because they give you money. When people support the human rights tragedy in Papua, governments have to listen.

I’m certain that once all leaders stand together, Australia and New Zealand can’t say no.”

With China’s influence in the Pacific, a power balance has taken place. Mr Mote says that Australia needs to stand up for the real issues of the people of the South Pacific, global warming, human rights and a right of self determination.

“ We have to end colonisation.

I think it is important for leaders in the region to stand for the people. Enough is enough! Our voices need to be heard and we can make decisions based on our belief system. How we relate to one another. Regardless of how far we are spread, we are one.”

Then there is the issue of dealing with cheque book diplomacy, the promise of millions in return for support.

In West Papua, are many multinational companies, an American company, British Petroleum has gas, China has all sorts of mining areas, Germany, a mega billion hydraulic power project and Russia, a satellite project, Korea, logging, Bin Laden Group a mega billion plantation project 1.2 million hectares to grow basmati rice for Middle East markets.

“But hey, we are believers, we are Christians and we have faith. For me, it’s David versus a Goliath.”

Mr. Mote acknowledged the prayers for his people was one thing Indonesia does not have.

These are prayers of faith that all these powerful nations don’t have.

“It is a testimony, if my people have faith and pray, we can defeat the big enemy.”

In a watershed event for Samoa, its Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, has been elected as the Chairman of the 39th Session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O) Conference being held in Rome, Italy, this week.

This is the first time since the inception of the Conference in 1945 that a senior official from a small Pacific island state has been elected to lead it.

In thanking the conference for the trust placed in him, Minister Le Mamea also acknowledged the valuable encouragement and backing of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi and his Cabinet colleagues.

The Conference was addressed by the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet and former President of Brazil, Luis Igancio Lula Da Silva, among several world leaders who are attending the high-level gathering.

The Conference brings together 194 member states to deliberate on key issues of the global food and agricultural system. It is also the first time that all 16 countries of the Southwest Pacific region have participated in the conference.

The Conference is the ultimate decision making body of F.A.O, determining its overall policy and strategy making decisions on the organization’s future directions and budget.

Its 39th session has elected F.A.O’s Director General Tagaloaletoa o le Malae o le Toto Graziano Da Silva for a second term until 2019.

It will also approve the organization’s work programme and budget for 2015-2016.

“I thank the delegates for the trust they placed in me to steer the proceedings of this important conference, in particular my colleagues the Ministers of the Southwest Pacific region for their support,” said Le Mamea upon his election.

“I call upon the delegates for their active engagement so that we can address the key challenges and make strategic decisions to move forward the agenda of the global food and agriculture system,” he said.

The Minister further noted that, “the challenges of food and nutrition security are immediate and real in particular with the adverse impacts of climate change. The Pacific countries must build their solidarity to mobilize international support and marshal their own resources to build resilience for food and nutrition security.”

A high-level meeting on Small Island Developing States was held on the margins of the conference to discuss the specific challenges of small islands in the face of climate change.

The Prime Ministers of Fiji, Guinea Bissau and St. Vincent and the Grenadines addressed the meeting calling for a coordinated approach to address the unique vulnerabilities of small island states.

The meeting also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between FAO and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group deepening their ties with an eye to bolstering national capacities to cope with climate change, enhance food security and support sustainable food production.

The Samoa delegation to the Conference included Ambassador Fatumanava, Honorary Consul General Papalii Caffarelli, Fanene Mark Betham, Assistant C.E.O of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Leota Laumata Pelesa, Maiava Elisa Mualia and Pepe Luteru.

Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, is leading Samoa’s delegation at the 104th International Labour Conference being held in Geneva this week.

The Deputy Prime Minister is being accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Auelua Samuelu Enari, A.C.E.O Industrial Relations and Occupational Safety and Health, Helen Uiese, employer delegate, Funefeai Oliva Va’ai, and worker delegate Peseta Eseta Hope.

In addressing the plenary session, Fonotoe acknowledged the International Labour Organisation’s (I.L.O) assistance to Samoa.

He expressed “Samoa’s appreciation for I.L.O’s ongoing support through mobilisation of resources and technical partnerships to assist in facilitating the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2013 – 2016”.

He also assured that; “Samoa is supportive of the “future of work” initiative and its strategic objectives”, highlighting various development projects that Samoa has installed will not only advance the I.L.O’s mandate but most importantly contribute to the development of the Labour Sector in Samoa.

Such include but are not limited to “… review of relevant legislation to strengthen regulatory functions, ensuring sustainability through ongoing capacity building programs for all stakeholders, and seeking better baseline data through research development to form a basis for this change over time.”

The Samoan delegation is confident that the collaborative efforts of the Samoa National Tripartite Forum with the assistance and cooperation of the I.L.O no doubt Samoa will be in a better position to address many of the labour issues encountered and to fulfil our international obligations under the I.L.O.

Some of these issues and issues concerning the Pacific were referred to during a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister, his delegates and the Director General of the I.L.O, Guy Ryder.

Every year in the month of June member states of I.L.O irrespective of their economic, social and political status assemble to share ideas, experiences around distinct matters of labour affairs and work collectively to advance I.L.O’s mandate for social justice.

The Conference has several undertakings, which includes the crafting and adoption of international labour standards, examine country reports on the compliance, law and practice in respect of ratified Conventions and Recommendations requested by the Governing Body and more.

A vital theme is the announcement of the I.L.O’s Director-General, Guy Ryder’s report this year addressed “the future of work centenary initiative”, with a focus on four fundamental areas; work and society; decent jobs for all; organisation of work and production; and governance of work.

The Director- General called on delegates to “look at the longer term drivers of change, the transformational mega-trends, and what they imply for the goals we pursue in the I.L.O in its second century.” The meeting ends on Saturday.

The Samoa Victim Support Group will soon add a “House of Blessings” to its shelters at Tunaimato to cater for victims of sex and abusive crimes.

The House, according to President Siliniu Lina Chang, will cater for many babies that come through the Group.

Asked who is funding the new building, Siliniu said the donor wants to remain anonymous.

“She came to Samoa to visit the babies and she saw how we were struggling to cope,” Siliniu said.

“She asked me what I wanted to do and I replied that I wanted a better place for the babies. She agreed and that’s where it all started.”

Siliniu said the House of Blessings is an answer to their prayers.

The building will add to the House of Hope at the Group’s Tuana’imato base.

“S.V.S.G is forever grateful to all the donors from here and afar,” said Siliniu.

She said the House of Blessings will cater for children up to three years old.

It will have an isolation unit and a clinic for babies.

“During our humble journey, a baby shelter was never on our agenda but we are grateful to this kind donor for her help.”

The house is expected to be opened before the end of July.

The visiting Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, David Grevemberg, is absolutely sure about Samoa’s hosting ability.

“There is absolute no doubt in my mind that Samoa is going to be a fantastic host for the upcoming Youth Games,” he said. “This is a very exciting time in the history of the Commonwealth.”

Mr. Grevemberg made the comments during a special meeting with Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, yesterday where the medals for the Games were unveiled.

The designer of the medals, Nadya Va’a was present as well as the President of S.A.S.N.O.C, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i.

During the brief meeting at the Prime Minister’s office, Mr. Grevemberg thanked Samoa for the “gracious heartfelt welcome” he has received.

He spoke about Samoans and their strong connection to their culture.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to show the world what it means to the community,” he said. “This is the perfect time and perfect location. We know the team here will be doing a fantastic job to make the most out of this opportunity.”

Prime Minister Tuilaepa assured the Commonwealth C.E.O that Samoa will go out of its way to welcome the athletes and officials in September.

As for the medals, Tuilaepa challenged local athletes to train hard so that many of them will stay in Samoa, especially the golden type.

Soifua.

The Vaitele-uta Congregational Christian Church of Samoa is celebrating the selection of six church members in the Samoa Football Development team for New Zealand.

And in making the team, Reverend Muao Su’a said it is a good example of young people using their time wisely.

“I know this is a sign that they are willing to improve themselves in so many ways,” he said.

“If they can make it today, I know there are opportunities for tomorrow.”

“Having these young ones from our youth in the team has also inspired other youth in the church to do good in whatever they are doing whether it’s in sports, school, work….”

Chief Executive Officer of Soccer, Faumuinā Michael Kapisi confirmed that the ‘Au a Tama’ Football team (Developing Team) left for New Zealand last Sunday.

They will play four games in New Zealand.

A 25-year-old male will have two and a half years to learn his lesson at Tafa’igata Prison after he was sent there by the Supreme Court for an attack on two cousins using a machete.

Tagialaoa Reupena, of Leauva’a, was sentenced by the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Sapolu.

The jail term follows a hefty penalty imposed by the Village Council on the young man and his family where his parents have been banished from the village.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two charges of intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The incident occurred on 22 April this year at Leauva’a.

The Court heard that the two cousins were involved in beating up the defendant’s father.

The elderly man was hospitalised but was discharged after he was treated for his injuries.

Back at home that evening, the matai of the family gathered with the people involved to reconcile.

Reupena was sitting in a neighbouring house waiting for the outcome of the meeting. At one point, he became extremely upset that the matai had not decided to banish his two cousins who attacked his father.

That’s when he picked up a machete and entered the house where the meeting was happening. The first victim was slashed on the right shoulder, sending him to the floor. The second was hit on the left hand as he attempted to block the blows.

The accused then ran away and hid the machete in a banana patch.

Later, he told the Probation Service he knew what he had done was wrong and he turned himself in to the Police that same evening.

The Chief Justice said the defendant needs to be punished for the offence, to send a message out that what he did was wrong.

Leone Su’a-Mailo, of the Attorney General’s Office, was the prosecutor while the defendant did not have a lawyer.

Samoa has won another award from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (F.A.O).

This time, the award recognises Samoa’s efforts in “satisfying the 1996 World Food Summit goal” which is “to reach the target of reducing by at least 50 per cent the absolute number of persons suffering from undernourishment between 1990 and 2015.”

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia, accepted the award on behalf of Samoa in Rome, Italy, where the 39th Session of the F.A.O Conference is being held.

“This is a great achievement by our country and we ought to be proud of it,” Le Mamea, who is the Chairman of the conference, said.

“This is also a reflection of the great contribution by our small family farmers in carrying out their obligations by working in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture.”

“My advice is to keep up the good work and work out strategies to make sure that the momentum now achieved be further developed and sustained.”

Earlier, Samoa’s Honorary Consul General to Italy, Papali’i Giovanni Caffarelli, addressed the conference.

This is what he said:

“On behalf of the Samoan Delegation, I wish to reiterate our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Conference for the confidence entrusted in our Honorable Minister Le Mamea to chair the 39th session of the FAO conference. This is indeed an honour and a privilege for Samoa and the wide Southwest Pacific family.

I would like to take this opportunity also to congratulate High Chief Tagaloaletoa o le Malae o le Toto Graziano da Silva for his well-deserved appointment as Director-General for a second term. We have every confidence in your capable leadership and vision to steer the ship and take our Organization to the next level.

Samoa looks forward to continue building on the close relationship and cooperation we have established and enjoyed with FAO during your first mandate.

Samoa commends and challenges you, Director-General, to continue with your decentralization policy, for we are convinced that this is the right path to travel in our collective efforts towards real and lasting sustainable development for all our communities, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged, including women and youth.

As an adopted son of a SIDS country, Director-General, we look to you to assist us in streamlining and moving the SIDS agenda in the work programme of FAO. We further invite you and Member States to consider the lead taken by the ACP Group in establishing a SIDS Forum within FAO. The upcoming Conference on Financing for development in Addis Ababa in July, the summit in New York, and COP21 in Paris later in the year provide windows of opportunity to continue pushing the SIDS Agenda, in particular the Samoa Pathway outcome and recommendations.

The Pacific is an ocean continent.

As such, fishery is one of the few resources we possess and we must ensure that the region benefits and receives a fair economic return to assist in the creation of employment opportunities for our people. Samoa looks forward to FAO`s assistance in this area. It is also timely and necessary to work with relevant international organizsations to seriously examine the nexus between trade, food security, and the incidence of NCDs.

Further strengthening partnership between FAO, SPREP, and SPC in our region is essential to enhancing and improving FAO`s vision and activities in the Pacific.

In conclusion, as a Samoan High Chief, it is customary for you Director- General to make regular visits to your adopted country and region. We look forward to welcoming you again and I hope, not in a too distant future.

Thank you and God bless.”

The Samoa Qualifications Authority (S.Q.A) yesterday launched a Professional Standards manual for Technical Vocational Education and Training (T.V.E.T) Trainers at Hotel Millennia.

The manual was launched by the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C), Magele Mauiliu Magele, during a ceremony officiated by the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Fepulea’i Sinapi Moli.

The Minister congratulated S.Q.A, saying the Manual is an important step towards improving the quality of T.V.E.T in Samoa.

The formalities started with a prayer service conducted by Pastor Fa’afetai Fata of the Apia Harvest Centre Church.

According to a statement from S.Q.A, the manual will help create a workforce with practical skills, attitudes and knowledge in response to the needs of the economy.

“In addition, the continuous evolutions of technology add more emphasis on the need for a knowledgeable and adaptable workforce,” the Authority says.

“Technical Vocational Education and Training (T.V.E.T) programmes and institutions teach and prepare individuals for these occupational fields promoting effective participation in careers.

“Samoa has long recognised the growing need to develop a professional and dynamic workforce to fuel acceleration of its economy.

“The quality of T.V.E.T trainers is equally important as the quality of the workforce it aspires to create and support.”

The professional standards manual is part of S.Q.A’s core mission to ensure the consistent delivery of quality training services across the country.

“One of its priorities under the T.V.E.T Support Program is improving the capacity of training institutions to deliver higher level, industryled quality training,” the statement continues.

“Supporting this mission and improving trainer quality led to the establishment of the Professional Standards for T.V.E.T Trainers.

“These standards were developed by S.Q.A in consultation with stakeholders. It is envisaged that T.V.E.T providers will use this framework to review the capacity of their staff and support professional development of their staff in order to meet the Professional Standards.”

The Professional Standards manual was funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (D.F.A.T).

Jerry Collins’ cousin, former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, will help to bring his body home to New Zealand from France in the next few days before funeral services next week.

New Zealand Rugby released a statement yesterday by Collins’ manager and family spokesman, Tim Castle, with details about the public funeral, which would be held at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on Wednesday and would start at 10am.

Collins’ body would be brought home to New Zealand over the next few days by a small group of close friends, including Umaga, who was based in Italy, former All Black Chris Masoe and his wife Gemma, who were also living in France, and Stevenson Malotu’upule.

Castle said Collins’ family would look after his body before Wednesday’s funeral. The family had requested privacy from the public and media around Collins’ return to New Zealand.

After Wednesday’s funeral service, Collins would be buried in a ceremony for extended family and friends.

“The family knows that Jerry was loved and admired by the people of his hometown of Porirua and beyond. He was one of them and played a big role in the community. The family understands and knows very well that many people want to join them in paying tribute and showing their love and respect for him,” Castle said.

The family also wanted to acknowledge Porirua City Council who had provided “invaluable assistance” in helping organise the funeral, including making Te Rauparaha Arena available for it, he said.

“The Porirua and Wellington communities - as well as people from all around New Zealand and overseas - have rallied around the family as they go through this difficult time and they again would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks for that support. It has given them great comfort.”

A separate private family funeral would be held on Monday at Collins’ former rugby club in Porirua, Northern United Rugby Football Club, were his stellar rugby career began, according to Samoan Wellington Rugby Union board member Rob Nero.

Collins, 34, and his Canadian partner, Alana Madill, 35, died instantly in a car crash in southern France a week ago when their car collided with a bus on a motorway on their way home from a rugby gala. Their baby daughter, Ayla, was plucked from the wreckage and airlifted to a hospital in Montpellier. The 11-week-old infant remained in a critical condition.

Madill’s parents, Darrell and Ruth Madill, and her sister, Brenna, were in France to organise Alana Madill’s funeral and were also keeping vigil at the hospital with baby Ayla.

Her family placed an obituary notice about Madill in Canadian online newspaper The Regina Leader-Post, which was published on Thursday.

It said Madill grew up throughout Canada. While living in Grande Prairie, Alberta, she met and captured Collins’ heart, and he hers.

“Alana told Ruth and Darrell that she had met her match and on March 26, 2015, Alana and Jerry’s true inspiration was born, Ayla. Motherhood became Alana and it was a true wonderment to watch Alana with Ayla. The family of three was perfect.”

It described Madill as “a free spirit because of her calmness, huge heart, and ability to pick up and travel or move anywhere with a huge smile;

she was always up for an adventure”.

“Alana loved her family and friends with all her being, especially her nephew Jaydon and nieces Danika and Daya who cherished each and every visit with their Auntie Yaya. They will forever miss her.” Madill’s funeral service would be held at a later date because Ayla remained hospitalised and receiving care in France, it said. In lieu of flowers, it said family and friends could make donations in memory of the couple to a trust fund set up for Ayla c/o BMO Albert Street North, Regina, SK, Account #06758-001-3953-962.

The Jerry Collins Memorial Fund on the givealittle website in New Zealand had raised more than $32,000 for baby Ayla by Friday morning.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has had a change of heart.

In doing so, the Prime Minister has admitted that he had made a mistake when he allowed vendors to use the side of the road to sell their goods.

This time, he has instructed the Police to get serious about removing them.

“Giving them a chance was a mistake,” Tuilaepa said.

“The funny thing is that every time the Police catch someone, they always blame me. They said Tuilaepa said ‘this is okay.’

“But I’ve never said for them to do that.”

The Prime Minister made the comments in response to questions about the growing number of vendors using the footpaths and street corners to sell their wares.

“(They were allowed to sell their goods on the footpaths) when the (Fugalei) market was being constructed,” Tuilaepa explained.

“It was out of love but you know this thing called love is sometimes foolish."

"It’s love that causes other people to continue to do stupid things. So this thing called love is sometimes not good.”

According to the Prime Minister, the idea was that once the market is completed, all vendors should return there, instead of occupying the footpaths and sides of the road.

“There are three things,” Tuilaepa reminded.

“First, there is the road for vehicles, second is the footpath for members of the public to walk on and third is the market for goods to be sold at.”

The Prime Minister said far too many people are selling stuff on the footpaths, much to the annoyance of pedestrians, whose lives are placed at risk."

“The problem now is these people are selling their stuff on the footpath.”

He cautioned that “a man with big legs could trip on a basket of talo, fall and die.”

“So let me remind (vendors) that the footpath was created for walking.”

He added: “What’s happening now is every time people are caught doing something stupid they say that Tuilaepa said it’s allowed."

“So I’ve told the Police that anytime anybody says that, no way.

They should just put them in the car and take them to Tafaifagata (Prison) to teach them a lesson.”

Tuilaepa said the Fugalei Market is now completed and all vendors should use it for business.

Prior to Samoa’s preparations to host the Small Island Developing State conference in September last year, Police enforced the law to stop people selling on the footpaths.

Vendors were only allowed to sell if they had the required permits and business licenses.

The Totalisator Agency Board (T.A.B) has donated $5,000 to SENESE to help with its preparations for its Deaf Rugby team tour of Australia.

Representative of the Gambling Control Authority, Auimatagi Fa’afetai Karanita Ah Kuoi, presented the money to the Director of SENESE, Marie Bentin- Toalepaiali’i, on Friday. Last week, Samoa drew first blood during a test match of historical significance played at Pesega. The Samoa Deaf Rugby Team was victorious, 20-19, over the mighty Australian Deaf rugby Team, in the fi rst deaf rugby test match in Samoa. The second game is scheduled to be played in Australia next year. Pictured here are Auimatagi Fa’afetai Karanita Ah Kuoi, Marie Bentin-Toalepaiali’i and Vagatai Talaese of SENESE. Photo: Ilia L. Likou.

JUST MARRIED: Fata Anton Cobcroft and Seumata’alia Nicola Rankin exchanged vows at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral at Mulivai yesterday in front of their parents, families, friends and colleagues.

This was followed by a reception held at the National University of Samoa last night. Details and more photos in tomorrow’s edition. Photo: Ilia L. Likou.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has assured the Free West Papua movement that he will look into their request for Samoa’s support with regards to the Pacific Islands Forum (P.I.F) membership.

The assurance was offered during a meeting between Tuilaepa and the General Secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Octovianus Mote, in Apia on Thursday.

Mr. Mote was in Samoa as part of a trip around the region to meet country leaders and gain support for their membership on the Melanesian Spearhead Group (M.S.G.) as well as the Pacific Islands Forum (P.I.F.).

Despite the non-commitment from Tuilaepa, Mr. Mote remains confident that Samoa will support their mission.

“Tuilaepa did not state support but said he would follow up,” Mr. Mote told the Sunday Samoan.

Mr. Mote who left for Fiji on Friday, said yesterday that he also met with Tautua leaders and the Council of Churches who also expressed their full support.

They too were confident that Tuilaepa would back their decisions.

According to Mr. Mote, when West Papua gained independence in 1961, Samoa was one of the few countries represented at the celebrations.

Samoa also played a big part in taking Christianity to its shores.

West Papua also took part in the formation of the P.I.F. Later that same year, Indonesia took over and severed all ties with the region.

“The main reason why I’m here for is because West Papua is under threat today,” he said during an interview last week. Mr. Mote said that the population, which was once 1.5 million, now stands at only 48 percent of that and already, his people are a minority in their our land. Should the trend continue, in 2020, the population will be less than 23 percent.

“That means five years from now,we will lose everything. We need to stop this because Indonesia is really speeding up their colonisation.”

Her Majesty The Queen will present the inaugural Queen’s Young Leaders Awards to a young person from Samoa during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday 22 June.

Erna Takazawa is among 60 exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth who have been recognised by The Queen for taking the lead in transforming the lives of others and making a lasting difference in their communities.

After studying optometry in New Zealand, the 26-year-old became Samoa’s first and only optometrist.

Ms. Takazawa’s efforts in promoting the need for affordable eye care have helped to lead to free eye care for under-16s and over- 65s, free glasses for children and more affordable glasses for adults. Before receiving their Award at Buckingham Palace the winners will meet the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron at 10 Downing Street, visit the headquarters of global social networking company, Twitter and meet with senior executives at the BBC World Service. “I am so happy to be one of the first recipients of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award,” says Ms. Takazawa.

“To be recognised for my work and be Award by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace is such a huge honour. I can’t wait to meet all the other Award winners in London and get involved in all the exciting activities that are taking place throughout the week.”

This year’s Award winners are aged between 18 and 29 and are working to support others, raise awareness and inspire change on a variety of different issues including; education, climate change, gender equality, mental health and disability equality.

Following the ceremony on the 22nd June, Award winners will spend four days in the UK to take part in a residential development programme as part of the Award prize.

The programme includes workshops at Cambridge University, meetings with UK businesses leaders, and visits to life changing social action projects.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MS.

TAKAZAWA ON WORLD HEALTH DAY Question: What is the focus of your work?

Erna: The primary focus of my work is to assist people on a daily basis with their eye health needs. Ultimately, my goal is to educate people about the importance of eye healthcare to ensure that they can live their lives to their full potential.

Question: What can happen to people if they don’t have access to eye healthcare?

Erna: There is a substantial difference between those who have easy and affordable access to eye healthcare and those who do not. What I found through my outreaches in the rural areas of Samoa is that many people suffer from ailments that are, or were, treatable.

As an example, last week I saw a man with an eye injury he had suffered a month ago. Had he come to me three weeks ago, his vision could have been saved. However, due to the delay in treatment, his prognosis is not good.

These sorts of things happen on a large scale, whether it is an adult with a treatable eye injury or a child with an early stage eye problem.

Not having access to eye healthcare impacts directly on our nation’s people, as they are not living fuller lives, not reaching their full potential and suffering needlessly.

Poor eye sight for a child impacts on areas like their learning and playing sports; poor eye sight for an adult affects things like their ability to drive, their independence and their productivity at work. So it is very important to have regular eye exams and get the proper glasses, surgery or treatment needed.

Question: What was eye health care like in Samoa before you became an optometrist?

Erna: After High School, and while I was trying to decide on my career path, I spent time observing Samoa’s Eye Clinic at the National Hospital. At the time, in 2006, there was only one Indian Ophthalmologist and one Eye Nurse in a tiny room. There was no Optometrist.

Every day there were so many patients waiting to be treated by this small team and seeing the great need cemented my decision to become an Optometrist.

At the time patients received their prescription from the Eye Nurse and were then tasked with figuring out a way to get their own glasses from overseas.

Many would send these prescriptions to relatives living in other countries but this led to long waiting times and also the possibility that wrong or inadequate glasses were chosen for them. Question: How have you improved eye healthcare in Samoa?

Erna: We now have one local Ophthalmologist and another one in training. I am the Optometrist and we have 10 Eye Nurses. We also have much larger premises, and have our own optical technician and workshop where we can make glasses locally.

We’ve increased the number of people who can be seen daily as well as the effectiveness of their treatment. We have also launched more outreaches in Samoa. The situation has improved, but we always aim to continue to grow our reach and effectiveness.

Since 2012 I personally have seen approximately 15,000 patients, including adults and children with disabilities. Now that glasses are affordable to the entire population we can continue to ensure we bring down the remaining barriers. Things aren’t perfect, but they are improving.

There has never been a nationwide study on visual impairment and blindness in Samoa, as we lacked the funding and people to carry this out in the past. Now this is possible, through our growth and the help of many different organisations. Such a study would give us the statistical basis to then identify with accuracy the areas of need.

My goal has always been to reduce avoidable blindness in Samoa by empowering people through education in eye care, growing awareness and early detection and, of course, training and inspiring people to get them on our team and fighting for the cause.

Question: How will The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme help you progress with your work?

I believe in constant selfimprovement and learning. I am hoping that the Queen’s Young Leaders Award, through its mentorship program and residential week, will give me the knowledge and experience to help me achieve my goals and dreams.

The networking opportunity and the mentorship will be very good for me putting me in contact with like-minded individuals who also share the dream of giving back to society and improving people’s lives.

Members of the local community were mightily impressed with Hamlet staged at the National University of Samoa on Friday night.

The play, which opened at Shakespeare’s Globe on 23 April 2014, marks the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. To celebrate the milestone, Hamlet is touring every single country on earth over two years.

This week, Samoa is hosting 16 extraordinary men and women travelling across the seven continents, performing in a huge range of unique and atmospheric venues.

“Globe to Globe Hamlet was created with the aim of performing Hamlet to as many people as possible, in as diverse a range of places as possible,” Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe and Director of Hamlet said, on a press release.

“The central principle of the tour is that Shakespeare can entertain and speak to anyone, no matter where they are on earth; and that no country or people are not better off for the lively presence of Hamlet.”

So far, Globe to Globe Hamlet has been performed in over 100 countries across the Americas, Europe and Africa to more than 89,000 people, with over half of the whole tour now complete. January 2015 saw Hamlet travel to East Africa, with the first African performance of the tour at Algeria’s National Theatre.

Other January highlights included the incredible Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the beautiful St Louis Cathedral in Carthage, Tunisia, and Ethiopia’s National Theatre in Addis Ababa. A free outdoor performance in Sudan drew an audience of over 3000 people.

On 29th January, the Hamlet company became the first foreign theatre company to perform a full play in Somaliland for 23 years.

February 2015 has seen Hamlet continue its journey around East Africa, with performances outdoors in the gardens of the University of Rwanda, and in Burundi, Kenya and Uganda.

In 2014, Hamlet was performed to audiences at The Globe, in Wittenberg, in Tromsø within the Arctic Circle, in Moscow, through the Baltics, in Kiev on the eve of their elections to an audience including Vladimir Klitschko and Pietro Poroshenko, at the United Nations in New York, at the oldest theatre in Central America, the majestic Teatro Nacional de El Salvador, outside on the banks of the St Lawrence River in Canada, in the shadow of Mexico’s Yucatán Cathedral, built a year before Hamlet was written, at a beautiful marina in Antigua & Barbuda, on a mountainside in Guatemala, in St Kitts and Nevis, where the Hamlet company became the first international theatre group to perform on the island, in Poland, where the company was invited to open the Gdansk Shakespeare Theatre, outdoors for free in Chilean parks, in Argentina, which marked the 100th show, and across majestic national theatres throughout South America. In October 2014 UNESCO patronage was granted to Globe to Globe Hamlet, in recognition of the tour’s engagement with local communities and promotion of cultural education.

The Samoa Housing Corporation has received international recognition with a prestigious award for the second year in a row.

A Gold award was presented at the 2015 International Quality Convention held on May 25 in the New York Marriott Marquis Convention Hall to the chairman and the C.E.O. of the Samoa Housing Corporation.

S.H.C had also received a special Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) award for its Disaster Recovery Programme last year in Moscow.

This most recent award was presented to companies and organizations from 53 countries around the world for achievements in quality and excellence in leadership and service.

“I felt very humble,” said Matautia.

“It goes back to government and back to our people. It’s our people’s award.”

“This is the same award which the Samoa Shipping Company received a few years ago.”

Matautia said that the media sponsor of the event, Imar Press may well have noted in the local press, the Parliamentary sub committee’s comments about the work of S.H.C. in raising the living standards of people during difficult times (post cyclone).

The 2015 convention was the 26th year of these awards and past winners have included huge companies such as Wal Mart in the States.

“We started with an introductory session where you had to go up and do a one minute televised profile about your company and explain what quality is, Matautia said.

“I said quality is making people happy – your clients, your staff, the government.

“Then the Small Island Developing States theme was on my mind and I talked about how ‘small is beautiful’.”

Presided over by president and CEO Jose E. Prieto, Matautia said it was a great opportunity to network with outstanding personalities from the business world and the diplomatic corps.

“At our table there was an entrepreneur from Bangladesh who owns 20 companies making everything from textiles to microchips. He was accompanied by the Governor of the Central Bank of Bangladesh, a Cabinet Minister and the CEO.

“Also present was the Attorney General from El Salvador.

“We had wanted to invite Samoa's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ali'ioaiga Feturi Elisaia but at that time he was in Samoa for the SPREP meeting so S.H.C. was represented by our chairman of the Board, Tuilaepa Eti Faolotoi and myself.”

The main media sponsor of the Convention was Imar Press media group which covered the Awards Ceremony. Its more than 26 publications in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Portuguese feature those successful companies and organizations awarded.

In this way, the quality symbol and BID's QC100 Model is present in 179 countries around the world, creating a firm ground for the implementation of integral quality processes through the technology and procedures of this model of Total Quality Management.

According to Jose E. Prieto, President and CEO, “The award recipients are icons of commitment to leadership, technology and innovation, making them models for others in their sectors.”

From Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East, companies and organizations received the International Quality Summit Award in recognition of their achievements and commitment to quality, thereby joining the historic group of prestigious B.I.D.

The People’s Captain, Mahonri Schwalger, will not lace up for the historical Manu Samoa and All Blacks test match at Apia Park but he is putting on his boxing gloves for a good cause.

Schwalger is among a host of stars who are taking part in the “Pacific Explosion” bouts to be staged the day before the test match on 8 July 2015.

“I don’t know much about boxing,” Schwalger said yesterday. “But when I knew it was for a good purpose I jumped in straight away. It is a challenge for me to try a new sport but I have started my training".

The line up was revealed yesterday by former All Black and Manu Samoa midfielder, Tuigamala Vaaiga Tuigamala, in his capacity as the Promoter for Pound 4 Pound Events.

Schwalger will fight as one of the undercards on a night, which has Joseph Kwadjo from Ghana against Gold Coast-based Samoan boxer, Leti Leti, as the main bout.

The undercards will also feature Tuigamala and his former Manu Samoa teammates, Potu Leavasa and Fred Tuilagi.

Their opponents have yet to be announced.

“The occasion is a celebration of the historical match knowing that a lot of people from overseas will be here to watch the game,” Tuigamala told the media during a press conference held at Scalinis Restaurant.

“It promotes our local talents and also marks the significance of having the All Blacks come to Samoa. This is also for a good cause with money going towards the Samoa Cancer Society".

Tuigamala said the event will also honour former Manu Samoa captain, Papali’i Peter Fatialofa as well as All Blacks hard man, Jerry Collins.

The Promoter said bringing the All Blacks to Samoa was always something Fats wanted to do but it is sad that he is not here to see the realization of his dream.

“We honour Fats on our show because of his tremendous contribution to Samoan rugby in the past,” Tuigamala said.

He also paid tribute to Collins.

“I spoke with Jerry three weeks ago about fighting for this card,” said Tuigamala. “He was keen but now he’s gone. We are going to honour the usos, Jerry and Fats who are two wonderful warriors that had contributed in rugby both Samoa and All Blacks".

The People’s captain, Schwalger was also acknowledged by Tuigamala for his support.

Other names on the cards include Bubba Tuigamala, Warren Fuiava, Tillman and McFarland.

There will also be a celebrity and corporate bout.

Tuigamala said that gloves from renowned Samoan boxers, David Tua, Alex Leapai, Maselino Masoe and Joseph Parker would be auctioned on the night.

Money from the auction will go towards the Samoa Cancer Society and the Samoa Boxing Academy.

South Pacific Professional Boxing Inc. (S.P.B.I) President, Ale Vena Ale, was also present during the press conference.

Ale gave his support and had been the contact for Kwadjo to attend the event.

Pacific Explosion will be held at the Tuana’imato gymnasium 1, on 7 July 2015.