In a bid to ensure that tomorrow’s leaders are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need, a new community youth club is on the cards.

At an induction late last month run by the Rotaract Club of Apia in partnership with United States Embassy, the youngest executive members were welcomed into the Rotary family.

The day saw the involvement of two pioneering Interact Clubs – one from Robert Louis Stevenson School, with 30 members, and the other Club from St. Mary’s, which boasts an impressive 40 members.

According to Rotaract President, Kaisarina Salesa, the workshop was to both teach and build the leadership capacity of young students from both Robert Louis Stevenson College and St. Mary's pioneer Interact club members.

“Interact is a service club created and established by Rotary International in recognition of the potential of young people from the age of 12 - 18 who want to commit to changing their communities and the world through charity projects,” she said.

“Interact or International Action is the perfect opportunity for young people to carry out community service projects for the betterment of their society as well as teaching them the value of service above self."

“It is also an opportunity where young people can generate international understanding by partnering up with other Interact Clubs around the world to breach the gap between countries, regions through projects that will promote friendship and goodwill."

“It is a club where young people can also realise their leadership potentials to be community leaders, national leaders and to be role models for other young people.”

Ms. Salesa said the decision to start up the new club came from Rotaract members, who saw the potential for young Samoans still in high school to serve their communities beyond their usual capacities and existing mechanisms.

“It was also identified by Rotaract that while leadership and service above self was already evident in these young Samoans, it was realised they had no idea how to translate their willingness in doing charitable works for their schools or communities."

“The youth of Samoa are the leaders of today and being able to build their capacity at a young age means that Samoa will see a much more capable and well equipped generation who the people of Samoa can entrust its future to.” Ms. Salesa said the feedback from the new Interactors on the induction day was encouraging.

“They were impressed by how global it is,” said the President."

“They were happy that there was something for them as an extracurricular activity."

“They were motivated and determined to start making a change however small in their school and eventually their communities."

“And thankful that they are recognised and acknowledged as leaders of today and partners for tomorrow's future.”

Ms Salesa said an official launch of both Clubs would be set for a later date.

“Until the inaugural ceremony and certification process completed by Rotary International, both Interact Clubs will be launched at a later date and time,” she said.

“So the launch will be confirmed until all procedures have been completed.”

She said once the Clubs are up and running, the types of projects that the students would be involved with included ones surrounding compost bins, access to clean water, upgrade of science labs, the Christmas giving tree and better roads to their schools.

“The community can also get involved by offering any support to the Interact Clubs for their projects,” she said.

“In particular, moral, technical and funding support whatever the project may be that the Interactors carry out.”

Ms Salesa said this project would not have been possible if it wasn't for the federal assistance provided by the US Embassy in Apia.

The $1.8million tala Mulivai Retaining Wall constructed as a response to the current and projected impacts of climate change was opened yesterday.

“We have all witnessed and observed the severity and frequency of these changes such as those that we have observed in when Cyclone Evan affected our country and the subsequent flooding which affected Apia City and the Vaimauga district,” the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Faamoetauloa Dr. Faale Tumaalii said.

“It is our effort to stop the public from using the river as a dumping site as we have observed before the wall was constructed.”
The construction was divided in two parts.

The portion of the river between the Cathedral and Marist Brothers have been constructed using concrete and steel while the other part of the river which is behind the Marist School has been constructed using rocks.

The portion of the wall constructed using concrete and steel is in the centre of the main Apia Central Business District which is directly linked to the

Government’s plan to lift the outlook and increase the potential of the Apia CBD to generate more income through tourism and other major development investments.

“Seats are added to allow the public and of course the tourist to enjoy the ocean view. The lights are also in place to light up the place at night to give the public some sort of security when using this pathway to cross the other side of town.”

“Plants are also planted to give it a more environmental outlook,” Fa’amoetauloa added.

“The Government will also start construction of a similar structure along the riverbank of the Vaisigano River to ensure safety of people and protection of assets in this area next year.”

The construction was funded through the financial support from the European Union and the Cyclone Evan Recovery Program. The wall was blessed by Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga.

Think a minute…

The famous car manufacturer Henry Ford was the first to use the assembly line in his factory for mass production.

His company built and sold hundreds of cars each and every day. But one day the big generator that produced all the electricity for Ford’s factory suddenly stopped working.

The entire factory shut down, costing Ford a massive amount of money. He quickly called one of the nation’s top engineers to come fix it. The expert engineer soon arrived and began examining and tinkering with the big generator.

After only one hour, the engineer had found the problem and fixed it! Immediately Ford’s factory began making cars and money again.

A few days later Ford received the bill in the mail from that top engineer for fixing Ford’s factory generator.

The bill was $10,000! Ford could not believe how expensive it was, so he called the engineer on the phone.

He said: “Excuse me, Sir, but isn’t $10,000 rather high for just 1 hour of tinkering?” The engineer replied: “Mr. Ford, I’m charging you $10 for my one hour of tinkering, and $9,990 for knowing WHERE to tinker!” Ford answered: “I guess you’re right.”

And Ford paid the engineer his $10,000.

People usually accept your own estimate of yourself. They give you the same worth you give yourself. So don’t sell yourself short! I’m not saying we should go around full of pride, thinking we are better than other people.

But if you have special abilities, training, or experience in a certain skill, then you have reason to be confident in your work and charge what you’re worth—whether it be with computers, sales, carpentry, construction, business, farming, teaching, music, etc.

Obviously, the One Who really knows your abilities is the One Who designed and made you. In fact, no matter what the world says your value is, your real worth comes from how much your Maker paid for you.

God Himself paid for you with His own life. He actually became a human being to die for all of your sins, so you could choose not to be separated from Him and live in the worst agony forever.

Today, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for all of your wrong living and sins, and to become the Lord of every area of your life?

It is only then you can start learning your real worth from the One Who designed and created you. Just think a minute…

The cash-strapped Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U) has been asked to pay an outstanding of “more than a million” tala to a company that has been supplying uniforms for the national teams – including Manu Samoa.

The exact amount owed to B.L.K Sportswear in Australia could not be ascertained.But Treasurer and Board member of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tamaleta Taimang Jensen, confirmed the demand for payment from the Australia–based company.

“The S.R.U. is reconciling the amount to see if this is the exact amount that we owe to them,” Tamaleta said.

He added that the amount owed to B.L.K dates back to 2012.

Although the S.R.U. has been making payments, he said it hasn’t been meeting the requirements according to the agreement with B.L.K.

“B.L.K has asked that we now pay the full amount but we have to reconcile our accounts first before there is any settlement”.

“After reconciliation, then the Samoa Rugby Union will pay the money”. Asked how much the outstanding is, Tamaleta said: “I think it is more than one million. After the reconciliation of the accounts, then the S.R.U. will look into paying it”.

When the payment will be made, Tamaleta did not say.

The one thing he is certain about is that the S.R.U would not be able to pay the full amount in one go.

“The S.R.U. simply doesn’t have that amount of money now,” he said. Attempts to get comments from B.L.K. were unsuccessful. B.L.K supplies cutting edge, high performance player tested apparel for thousands of teams globally. The W.R.S. Group is the owner of the innovative sportswear brands B.L.K and KooGa.

The Samoana Jazz & Arts Festival opening in Apia tomorrow is more than just jazz for the amazing young talents in one of the festivals main acts, the Andrew Faleatua Quintet.

It is part of a journey in search for Samoa “as their cultural and spiritual home and finding meaning in a distant place that seems so far yet so spiritually aspiring".

The talented 26-year-old Andrew is completing a PhD with the elite Sydney Conservatorium of Music focusing on jazz composition. He is the first Samoan to have entered the Conservatorium.

What that has come out in his original compositions, is the search and yearning to know Samoa more.

The search becomes more distinct and comes through in his compositions as a young Samoan born and living outside of the islands.

Originals performed last weekend at the first leg of Samoana Festival in American Samoa such as “Samoa Forever” and “Take Me Away” cry out “to know more about the place I never knew, but I feel is much a part of me. Show me the place I never knew, It’s in my blood and heritage,” explains Andrew Faleatua.

Son of a Samoan Presbyterian pastor Reverend Keleva Faleatua originally from Gataivai, Savai’i and a European mother, Andrew calls himself an

“afakasi” (halfcaste) Samoan. He uses his music and compositions to learn more and connect to Samoan culture.

“This is the beginning of the journey for me as jazz is natural to Samoans and this can be a parallel for them,” he explains.

His vision “is to have more of a Samoan jazz flavour with the use of Samoan instruments such as fala, patē and lali in his compositions. But listen to the beats of exceptional drummer Dylan Elise and there is no mistake of this fusion already in motion and part of the vision is to make jazz more interesting and appealing to younger and wider audiences.

The Quintets common element is the shared heritage of the band members who were all born away from Samoa and using their amazing talents to make the spiritual and cultural reconnection.

Lead vocalist, 21-year-old Kiwi born Louana Pereira-Dinnan studies under respected vocal teacher Cheryl McClaine and will graduate with a degree of Jazz Performance at the New Zealand School of Music in 2015.

Having looked at the beauty of the islands and immersed herself in Samoan culture, she laments “I don’t know why they left,” referring to those who migrated providing the diaspora of Samoans overseas.

She talks about the potential of the islands to provide “organic food so we can be eating healthier and creating an essence of who we really are as a beautiful people".

The journey and question for them is “Look at yourself, who you are?”

This is the essence of SAMOANA, the Jazz & Arts Festival that aspires to connect musicians from New Zealand and Australia and other countries to Samoa and their heritage. This is the Samoana brand already carved and created and looks to have artistic, cultural and economic benefit for Samoa in future.

The Andrew Faleatua Qunitet are Fa’afetai Kepu Tofilau – patē/percussions, Junior Nansen – bass guitar, Dylan Elise – drums, Louana Pereira – lead vocals and Andrew Faleatua – keyboards.

The Qunitet along with all other musicians taking part in the festival are being hosted by the New Zealand High Commissioner at her residence at Letava tonight.

The Quintet and the headline act of the Festival, Iva Lamkum’s participation are sponsored by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The headline concert will be at the Sails Restaurant, Saturday 8 November but the Quintet will appear on other free daytime venues tomorrow and Saturday.

The amount of external debt for Samoa is only going to get worse, if the government’s borrowing trend is to continue.

The latest Quarterly Debt Bulletin (Q.D.B.) from the Ministry of Finance put Samoa’s current debt level at 64 per cent.

The World Bank predicts that this will hit 70 per cent by next year, pushing Samoa into debt distress.

While there are many factors that play into whether or not a country goes into debt distress - irrespective of its current Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.)-debt ratio - Samoa’s vulnerability to exogenous shocks means the government most likely will. Returning to the Q.D.B., which covers the third quarter of the 2013-2014 financial year, the M.O.F. reports that the external debts are all on fixed interest rates and mostly on highly concessional terms.

“Total external debt service for the quarter was $13.7m, increased by 47.1 per cent compared to the previous quarter and increased by 30.9 per cent compared to the corresponding quarter in 2013,” the report reads.

“The increase in debt service was mainly due to the debt service made for loans sourced from (China) Exim Bank which are due in March and September every year until maturity".

In fact, of all the repayments the government made this quarter – 64.6 per cent went to the Exim Bank, which is owned by the Chinese Government.

According to the Ministry, what the government owes the Exim Bank has increased by more than 14 per cent year-on-year.

“Chart 2.3 shows that in millions of Tala, external debt by creditors increased in March 2014 compared to March 2013, for the following creditors,” the report reads.

Now it is not as if the Government is not doing anything about addressing this level. It is, on paper at least.

For starters, the former Finance Minister, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga implemented the Medium Term Debt Strategy (M.T.D.S) 2013-2015, the main purpose of which is to set out the government debt management objectives, strategies and plans for the management of State debt.

“The main objective of State debt management, is to ensure that the financing needs of the State are always met on a timely basis and that its borrowing costs are as low as possible over the medium term, with a prudent risk,” the Strategy reads.

In part five of the report, it lists what it wants to achieve in the medium term.

“To restrict level of public debt to less than 50 per cent of G.D.P. (Gross Domestic Product) in the medium term and to reduce this ratio below 40 per cent in the longer term,” the report reads.

“To achieve this, Government will aim to maintain prudent macro- economic management, including efforts to keep inflation at a low level and to improve domestic competitiveness”.

Quite far removed by the World Bank prediction of 70 per cent, which it made in its Samoa Public Expenditure Review.

“Rapid fiscal expansion and borrowing over the past seven years have left Samoa with a large stock of debt and an elevated cost base,” the Review reads.

“With heightened fiscal needs arising from the December 2012 cyclone, concerted efforts will now be needed to bring the public finances back onto a sustainable footing.

“Samoa’s fiscal trends between F.Y. 06 and F.Y. 12 are characterised by increasing expenditure, modest revenue growth and an expanding deficit largely financed by aid inflows,” the review reads.

“As a result, the budget deficit steadily grew, peaking in F.Y. 10 at 7.5 per cent but remaining high in subsequent years.

“Deficits were financed with external borrowing, and external debt grew to reach 55 per cent of G.D.P. at end F.Y. 12.

“Substantial new fiscal commitments arose from the need to recover from Cyclone Evan, placing increased pressure on the budget, and budget deficits are likely to need to be lowered and kept around one per cent of G.D.P. in order to reduce debt to a comfortable level in the foreseeable future”.

This is something that the government has itself acknowledged. Again turning to its D.M.S.

“Debt Sustainability Rating has deteriorated to high risk of debt distress from moderate risk, within only a year of the I.M.F. (International Monetary Fund) Article 4 in April 2012,” the M.O.F. reports.

“The increased spending in response to external shocks has caused a breach of the fiscal policy goal of maintaining external debt below 50 per cent of G.D.P. in the medium term.

“Samoa’s current debt distress rating may have implication with relations with development banks such as A.D.B. (Asian Development Bank) and W.B (World Bank).

“It will affect the volume and mix of loans and grants that will be made available, with lower volumes and increased ratio of grants to loans.

“This may impact on the assistance from development partners in future including the access to concessional financing from the multilateral institutions”.

Furthermore, the government notes that the financing requirements for reconstruction work after the cyclone is estimated at $393 million of which preliminary estimates that 10 per cent would be contributed by development partners.

“With estimated revenue to be lower and expenditure reprioritisation, the financing gap would need to be met and would elevate the level of the State debt should government opted to borrow more,” it says.

According to the World Bank, Samoa has generally run a well-managed budget in the face of large externals shocks such as spikes in commodity prices, and the global economic crisis.

“Nevertheless, recent borrowing has highlighted a need for more prudent debt management and in particular, for higher quality investments,” it says in its Review.

“The composition of expenditure since F.Y. 06 has been supportive of the government’s policy priorities, with two thirds of the budget funding recurrent expenditure and the remaining third being allocated to capital spending in the priority sectors.

“Expenditure growth was driven by recurrent and capital spending in similar proportions as the government increased resources to a broad range of areas including frontline service delivery personnel, post-disaster reconstruction and other construction projects”.

The Bank says that as the budget expanded, the sectoral composition of total spending remained balanced between social, economic and administrative sectors. Budget execution has also been generally strong at the aggregate level even during the peak of the post-tsunami period.

“Although grant funding buoyed much of Samoa’s growing budget, loan financing has also been growing rapidly and has been accompanied by a rising debt-to-G.D.P. ratio,” the Bank says.

“Tsunami and economic recovery related activities contributed to this trend. However, 57 per cent of loan financed expenditure between F.Y. 09 and F.Y. 12 went towards large-scale non-economic infrastructure projects such as a number of large government buildings”.

Now ideally, infrastructure development should foster economic development – the idea being that new buildings attract more businesses and people to the urban areas, which inturn boosts the economy.

However, this does not seem to be the case in Samoa, especially when we look at its infrastructure developments with the China Exim Bank.

Exim Bank loans have been provided in recent years for construction of a number of prominent public buildings, including the National Convention Centre at US$52 million, the parliamentary complex and adjacent Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration buildings at US$41 million, a National Medical Centre and Ministry of Health Headquarters at US$41 million, and a national broadband network at US$15 million.

The D.P.C. says Exim Bank loans to the Pacific have been used to fund both productive as well as less productive infrastructure, ranging from investment in roads, government communication systems, and ports, to government buildings.

“There has typically been limited economic analysis of such projects. Funding of ongoing costs related to operation and maintenance of infrastructure has also not been considered,” it says.

“This has resulted in the rapid deterioration of infrastructure.

“The controversial nature of some past loans in the Pacific highlights a key challenge for China.

“The Chinese aid programme is avowedly a political, and is often said to reflect the wishes of Pacific island governments”.

“However, government priorities are by their very nature political. Loans can become controversial as a result”.

“This was evident recently in Vanuatu, when a new government sought to modify the previous government’s request for a grant for the Pacific’s largest convention centre. Similarly in Tonga, the use of an Exim Bank loan to fund an extension of the Royal Palace resulted in considerable criticism.

“The loan had been approved by parliament for reconstruction work in Nuku’alofa”.

An article in the Asia and Pacific Policy Studies journal Chinese Assistance in the Pacific: Agency, Effectiveness and the Role of Pacific Island Governments claims China Exim bank loans are of considerably greater value than other forms of assistance in Samoa.

In response to earlier criticism of the government’s handling of the foreign debt, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said when paying external debts, there are two important indicators you have to look at.

They are foreign reserves and government revenue.

“Our foreign reserve balance which gravitates up to six months is very strong,” he said.

Though Samoa has debts of around $960 million, Tuilaepa says the government is only paying a small fraction annually because the country has been borrowing on soft terms.

“Our debt service ratio is therefore quite manageable. So there is nothing to be worried about”.

This is all well and good, but according to the I.M.F. foreign reserves are really only taken into account when dealing with the payability of short-term external-debt.

“In recent years, there has been increasing interest in comparing the level of reserves to a measure of external debt, in particular to short-term external debt by remaining maturity,” says the I.M.F.

“A measure comparing reserves and short-term external debt is useful to gauge risks associated with adverse developments in international capital markets.

Short-term debt by remaining maturity provides a measure of all debt repayments to non-residents over the coming year and, as such, constitutes a useful measure of how quickly a country would be forced to adjust if it were cut off from external borrowing”.

“So, that is what I have been trying to explain to the Opposition, time and again. It is not the total sum of the debts that is important, it is what you are required to pay each year. And your ability to pay them”.

“Nearly all our external loans are at soft terms. Not only are we given very low interest rates – between one and two percent – but the duration of payment is over 20 years. Some other loans only require us to pay the interest for the first 5 to 10 years”.

The question remains – just what exactly is Samoa’s ability to pay off the amassed loans.

The D.M.S. predicts that the total debt servicing for this financial year is $38.5 million tala.

The Budget delivered by Tuilaepa had a deficit almost twice this figure at $69,127,613 which was covered by soft term financing totalling -$73,613,155 from New Zealand, which ironically left the Government with a Cash Surplus after

Borrowing of $4,485,542.

Of this debt servicing on the loans (please note that these repayments are not just to the exim bank, it is just that the D.M.S. only offers a lump sum in its table) the government has paid anywhere between 20 and 35 per cent interest over the past eight years.

A clearer example was offered up by the Tamil Guardian and can be found in Sri Lanka – who will have to repay China $4.9 billion for $2.96 billion dollars worth of loans.

At the time of press a similar example for Samoa could not be found.

However, there is a policy contained in Samoa’s D.M.S. as another objective the government wishes to achieve, which is to minimise the cost of public debt is by only taking out loans with a grant component.

“By limiting approval for external loans to those with at least 35 per cent grant component and restricting loans to support projects with a minimum positive economic return sufficient to cover the interest and repayment costs,” according to the D.M.S.

It seems unlikely that the Exim Bank would offer Samoa these terms with the D.P.C. reporting that Previous debt forgiveness has involved interest-free loans provided by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, not concessional loans offered by China Exim bank.

Most recently the government has again put to paper yet another attempt to curb the debt issue – this time in the form of an amendment to the Public Finance Management Act.

Currently before the House, the amendment has inserted a new part XI, to provide for the objective of debt management.

“Provisions for a debt management strategy and the inclusions of the debt management strategy in the annual report from Treasury that is to be laid before the Legislative Assembly,” the Bill’s explanatory note reads.

Lip service and paper pushing are all well and good – but how does it stack up in practice?

If recent media reports are to be believed, not well – the government is again looking to China for another loan.

It is looking to Samoa’s largest creditor to fund a revamp of Apia Park so we can host the All Blacks.

According to Radio New Zealand International, the Government is hoping China will help pay for the renovations.

According to the media outlet, the Shanghi Construction Group will be the company contracted to do the work.

The D.P.C. notes that contractors have been known to approach Pacific ministers with assurances that they could arrange China Exim bank financing, despite construction funded by such loans needing to proceed to tender.

So, the issue of the legal tendering processes aside, the government is continuing to borrow money in spite of current predictions.

Whether this loan will have a grant component at this stage is unclear.

Bloomberg has reported the Nigerian Aviation Minister Stella Oduah saying calling China Exim Bank loans “almost free money”.

She was responding to a loan that the Bank had provided her sector, which had a two per cent interest rate and a 22 year repayment period.

The problem here is it is not free money, it is a loan.

Toa Samoa has named a very strong side to take on the Australian Kangaroos in the all-important Four Nations clash this Sunday.

Antonio Winterstein returns to the wing for Samoa replacing Tautau Moga, who has been relegated to the bench, while Reni Matua and Jesse Sene-Lefao will join the game off the bench.

Surprisingly the bookies have got Toa Samoa 8 to 1 ranked outsiders at pulling off a win, similar to last week’s odds against the Kiwis!

The Aussies are undoubtedly struggling in the Rugby League Four Nations tournament with a number of their staple test players missing.

They got pumped in their first test against the Kiwis and were pretty lucky to come away with a win against the unlucky Englishmen last week.

The Aussies are a far cry from their usually slick running and crisp ball playing side, while they’re clearly lacking size, strength and venom in the engine room. Their combined test experience has been reduced significantly with many of their regular test players undergoing necessary off-season tune ups.

Apart from some great individual attacking play by Tongan Michael Jennings and some spark through Greg Inglis, last week’s game against the

Englishmen was pretty average and almost boring.

Samoan Australian debutant Sione Mata’utia failed to establish himself and stamp his name on the game, and may struggle even more against a huge, fast and powerful Samoan side.

Fellow Samoan Australian player Josh Papali’i, who has played a handful of games for the Kangaroos, has probably been the Aussies best forward.

Interestingly New Zealand born Papali’i was quoted as saying earlier last month that he wanted to play for Samoa if he wasn’t selected for the

Australian squad. So, if Papali’i missed out on playing for Australia in this tournament, he would have been playing for Samoa against Australia this weekend.

Pacific Illustrated as well as the community no doubt continues to be proud of all Pacific players who represent their country, whether through birthplace or heritage.

Despite the odds and despite the lack of funding and administrative structure and professional experience, the Samoans are no longer the poor league cousins or a developing league nation.

All of the Toa Samoa test players are first grade NRL or Super League players, and are amongst a rapidly increasing NRL Pacific contingency.

Current data from NRL sources reveal that in the NRL’s first grade alone, up to 40 per cent of the players are from Pacific backgrounds. These stats alone are unreliable as there is no consistency or quality assurance with regard to how the data is collected or collated and even whether there is a question about where your parents were born or what your cultural identity is.

Our bet is that with the increasing emergence of Pacific superstar players in the top grade, so many more Samoans and other players from Pacific nations will prefer to play for their Pacific nation rather than their country of birth as that’s where their heart and passion lies.

How is this Australian side going to handle the might of the Toa Samoa when giants like Kiwi Manu Vatuvei are getting dragged over the side line like a half back, the backs are punching more holes in the oppositions defensive line than moths on your favourite jumper, and forward packs are being man handled like sheep in a shearing shed by the Toa forwards.

The Toa are playing better each game with Roberts and Stanley consolidating their partnership, while all players are learning more about their team mates playing nuances. They’ll need to work on their kicking game and goal conversions, reducing overlaps on their left side defense, protecting Simona during the high ball, wrapping the ball up to prevent second phase play, and some players like Tim Lafai need to lift their work rate.

Think a minute…

Some parents can trace their family back 300 years, but they don’t know where their children were last night. A wise man said: “If fathers took their sons fishing when they were young, they wouldn’t have to go hunting for them when they’re older.” It has also been stated: “There are no illegitimate children—only illegitimate parents.” Just having children doesn’t make a man a father or a woman a mother.

One father admitted: “The thorns I’ve reaped are from the garden I planted.” It’s sad that some parents spend more time raising fruits and vegetables than they do raising their own children. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis concluded: “If you fail to do a good job raising your children, whatever else you do doesn’t matter much.” No work is more important than the work of raising our children to become happy, successful people.

The first doctor in history to successfully perform a heart transplant was the South African surgeon, Christian Barnard. But in his book, One Life, he tells about his failure as a husband and father. Dr. Barnard had gone away to America for many months doing his world-famous medical work. He tells what happened when he finally went home to his family in South Africa:

“It seemed like 100 years since I’d been home. I’d not written my wife and children in months, yet I was still shocked by my wife’s greeting. She asked, ‘Why did you come back? I could see there was no longer a smile in her eyes. She said, “Don’t look so surprised! We gave you up. We thought you were never coming back!” I said, “But I was building hearts.” She replied bitterly, “No, you were building a family! That is, until you dumped it all on me. We no longer exist for you.” At that moment, this brilliant heart surgeon knew that even he could not heal the broken hearts of his own family whom he failed.

Many of us have failed as a spouse or parent; but Jesus Christ will forgive you if you ask Him. Then ask Him to help you start changing and doing a better job of raising your children to become the happy, successful people they were born to be. Just Think a Minute…

The Samoa Qualifications Authority (S.Q.A) has drawn the ire of a Parliament Committee, who highlighted a number of issues it found from five years worth of annual reports.

In its report to the Legislative Assembly on the S.Q.A.’s Annual Reports for the Financial years ending 2009 through to 2013, the Education, Science, Communication and Information Technology (E.S.C.I.T.) Committee noted that less than one third of the 20 schools listed had been registered with the Authority.

The Committee is chaired by the Associate Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lenatai Victor Tamapua. Other members include deputy Chairman, Ifopo Matia Filisi, and members Levaopolo Talatonu, Tusa Misi Tupuola, Aveau Nikotemo

Palamo, Tuileutu Alavaa Voi and Tufuga Gafoaleata Faitua.

Here is the report in full:

The Education, Science, Communication & Information Technology Committee recommends that the Assembly takes note of its Report. 1.

Resolution: The Committee recommends that the Government approves of the: - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 33, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year

Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 34, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 35, SQA

Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 2014/2015, No. 36, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - P.P. 20l4/2015, No. 3, SQA Annual Report for the Financial Year Ending 30th June 2009; - The Committee’s Recommendations are as follows

2. Recommendations: The Committee recommends that the Government look in to: 1. That the SQA should prepare Programmes for Registered Schooling, that there is equality in curriculum programme for every schools, in accordance with the level of Achievements that has been developed by the SQA. 2. That the SQA should follow up with those schools that have been registered but have yet to implement programmes for their monitoring and approval. 3. That all international schools such as APTC should hereby abide with the regulations of the Acts for the monitoring and approval by the SQA of its educational curriculum, that it may have equality with all other local schools.

3. Findings: 3.1 Roles of the Ministry VISSION: To be the lead agency that promotes post school education and training that is acclaimed nationally and internationally for its quality, its relevance to the needs for learners, the community and to the directions established for the nation. MISSION: To work in partnership with all stakeholders to promote the achievement of high quality past school education and training that is nationally and internationally acclaimed and 3.2

Response:
1. Compliance with legislations The SQA is formally in complied with SQA Act that is regulating its on-going duties, and responsibilities. Apart from compliance with the Samoa Qualification Authority Act, it also has responsibilities under the following: - Public Bodies (Performance and Accountability) Act 2001 and Regulations; - Public Finance Management Act 2001; - Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2008 — 2012; - PSET Strategic Plan 2008 — 2016; - Ministry of Education Strategic Policies and Plan 2006 — 2015; and - Cabinet Directives.

2. Compliance with SDS: In other SQA responsibilities and functions it is compliance with the Strategic Development of Samoa.

3. Compliance with approved budget for period 2011-2012: In accordance with the financial statements of the SQA as audit by the Audit Office, it reveals a true and fair view of the financial position of the Samoa Qualifications Authority of the investigated financial year. Its financial performance and cash flow are good and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

3.4 Observations: OVERVIEW: The committee in its observations discovers the following as of importance: The Samoa Qualification Authority started its implementation in the year 2005 under the United Nation Development Program (U.N.D.P) and the International Labor Organization (I.L.O). It was later lawfully established in 2006 as establishing of its Management alone. But this Act of 2006 was demolished after the passing of the new amendment Act in 2010. The Samoa Qualification Authority Act 2010 list that the SQA is to perform the function of regulating qualifications and quality standards for the Post School Education and Training in Samoa. After the implementation of the second part of its

Professional Development Program (P.S.I.F), it provided the Authority with ways of clearly sets directions to carry out responsibilities, policies and regulations for the implementation of its functions. The registration of and accreditation of programs in Post School Education and training started in 2008. The number of staff members has now increased. The Board has also strived to strengthen its partnership with Post School Education and training and especially those of

P.S.E.T Providers. In this working in partnership with P.S.E.T and Providers it has help in direct negotiations with the S.Q.A partners. Since the implementation there was no corporate plan for the Authority, but it was still its priority until its implementation. It also implement together with its Professional Development Program. In the implementation of its functions it is aim at three categories, such are: - Achievement of Standard Requirements: As of today only 20 schools have been registered and put in place required regulations for the implementing of schools. Some of these schools are still in negotiation with the Board in implementing required regulations to be achieved. - Accreditation of Standard Requirements for Schools: The Standard Requirements for Schools is already developed. The obstacles facing the Board, is the delay submission of programs from all schools for its accreditation. Up to the date only 6 programs have been received by the Board including the School of Maritime of the National University of Samoa.

All others are still in the on-going process. Schools are been encouraged to comply with standards and regulations as their programs need to be approved. There is also an Accreditation Panel that makes decision for the achievement of

Standard requirement of the registration. - Plans to be Considered: Up to the time of the Committee’s investigations, the Board has yet to conduct its investigations as it is already been approved that for this investigation will be done in every five (5) years.

All of the Academic Qualifications has already been registered on the program. Last year, 38 Qualifications were introduced and are now all in the program. Other Samoa Qualifications such as skills in Vocational Education, Tours &

Hospitality and Agriculture Science. Post School educations can now teach these skills but only through the accreditation of the Board. The sole aim for this implementation is to promote opportunities for Samoa to acquire qualifications prerequisite in businesses. Other Services: There are other services provided by the Board such as:- - Foreign Qualifications Recognition Services (F.Q.R.S). For this service, various Corporations have requested the assistance of the

Board for the assessments of this kind of qualifications. - Strategic Research Services: This service involves researches carried out not only on schools but also researches on employers and corporations or (Employer Survey). -

Recognition of Non Formal Learning (NFL): The Board is also mandate to recognize non formal learning so as to enhance as recognized qualifications.

The belief, is that for any form of education that is given, it is for the purpose to achieve good qualifications. - PSET Management Information System:

The Board is aiming at gathering information and records for Post School Education training. As of to date, there is no information from Post Schools, and the Board is moving into preparation and managing a bulletin for information. - Training for PSET Instructors: The Board has already set up a program called Technical and Vocational Education Training.

Challenges and Constraints faced by the Board: 1. Committee Constraints/Solutions Recommended by the Committee: i. The Committee notice, that the Board in the future implement a program for a standardized curriculum in Post School

Education training. ii. From the 20 schools, only 6 have already been registered. The Committee questions the difficulties/restraints of the majority of Schools to register. iii. The committee notice, that many students have already graduated, but have yet to receive accreditation from the board of their Programs/Courses as of its statutory obligations.

2. SQA Responses to the given Constraints/Solutions Recommended: i. Available now are qualifications based on National Competence Standard. All courses and programs are given to the board for its accreditation to coincide with qualify standards. ii. The Board guessed that the delay in the registration of other schools is due to the process and the format needed. Other than this, they also have to include evidence in the submission of their programs. On the other hand, there is limited number of resources needed as compared to overseas countries. As of now, we have receive assistance from Australia and resources, course structure and instructors. iii. The Board has notified of the registration of the

APTC in Samoa, but is yet to be in consideration of its courses/programs.

4. COMMITTEE’S VISIT: The Committee visited Don Bosco and Tesese Institute which are under the Authority’s Post School Education and Training program. During the course of its visit, the Committee noted that the Don Bosco School has already registered and are able to renew its registered annually in accordance with the criteria’s. The Committee also noted that the Don Bosco School already submits a list of courses that they are offering for these school leavers and drop outs. These includes: Plumbing, Design Technology, Welding, Electricity and Engineering. The Committee also noted that the School sought assistance from the Authority to help improve the standard of their teachers in which they believe, improving the standard of teachers qualifications will also improves the students learning. The Committee spotted one difficulty faced by the School for Accreditation of qualifications, is because their level of qualifications does not meet the exact standard as required by the Authority. The Committee also visited the Tesese Institute located at Lalovaea. The Committee found out that 90% of students attending the school are school leavers and drop outs from colleges. The Head Officer specifically stated that they have already registered for Accreditation but hasn’t been proved pursuant to provisions of policies and criteria’s for submission. The Committee noted that the Institute no longer receives Grant from the Government. The Committee requires for a valid reason for this situation but the Institute has no clue over the issue.
5. WITNESS: During the course of its deliberations, the Committee was able to hear evidence submitted by; Samoa Qualifications Authority. Fepuleai Sinapi Moli - Chief Executive Officer Maposua Mose Asani - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Services Easter Manila-Silipa - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Research, Policy and Planning Tea Tepora Wright - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Qualifications Kovi Aiolupotea - Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Quality Assurance

5. PAPERS CONSIDERED P.P.2014/2015, No. 33, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2000; P.P.2014/2015, No. 34, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2010; P.P.2014/2015, No. 35, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2011; P.P.2014/2015, N0. 36, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2012; P.P.2014/2015, No. 37, Annual Report of the Samoa Qualifications Authority for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2013 6. COMMITTEE’S SIGNATURE: Lenatai Victor Faafoi Tamapua, Chairman Ifopo Matia Filisi, Deputy Chairman Tusa Misi Tupuola, Member Tuileutu Alavaa Voi, Member Tufuga Gafoaleata Faitua, Member Levaopolo Talatonu, Member Aveau Nikolemo Palamo, Member
Tony Nelbourne Natanielu, Clerk Iole Sanerivi, Assistant Clerk

After three years in Samoa, Anthony Stannard bid farewell to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs Office in Samoa (D.F.A.T).

This was not only for the D.F.A.T, but also to bid farewell to the many friends and colleagues he met, made and worked with while in Samoa, including the Samoa Law and Justice Sector.

With AusAID being the mere donor for the Law and Justice Sector’s projects, Mr. Stannard had a huge involvement with the Law and Justice Sector activities. During his time with the D.F.A.T, he was the representative of the Office in the Law and Justice Sector’s Steering Committee meetings and activities.

He was the Counsellor in the Development Cooperation and the Deputy High Commissioner at the Australia’s High Commission Office in Apia, from the 30th March 2007, to the 1st of July 2014.

The Chairman and the Coordinator of the Law and Justice Sector attended a farewell function which was held especially for Mr. Stannard to relay a gift as a token of appreciation on behalf of the Sector to acknowledge the service he contributed in the Law and Justice Sector.

“I’m hoping to take up the cause of international relations. Get a better knowledge of the injustices around the world and find where I can help”

At just 17 years of age, Abigail Latu-Meafou has announced herself one of the best netballers in Queensland.

Latu-Meafou was joint winner of the Queensland Champions Cup Most Valuable Player award for her efforts for Wildcats in the Queensland Tier 1 competition.

Although it was her first season at this level, the mature teenager oozes self-confidence.

“I had high hopes and a lot of faith in my ability,” the year 12 student said. “The opportunity came and I took it”. Latu-Meafou is a goal attack or goal shooter who has stopped growing at 179cm.

She concedes she will have to shift to wing attack if she is to continue to climb the senior ranks.

But her Samoan heritage has given her the strength to compensate for her relative lack of height. The next level up is to represent the Queensland Firebirds.

While that would be a dream come true, Latu-Meafou is determined to stay grounded.

“My future is unsure,” she said.

“You never know what other emerging stars might take my position. I’m focussing on school and university”.

Latu-Meafou wants to tackle a Bachelor of Arts degree as a way of opening doors into international diplomacy.

“I’m hoping to take up the cause of international relations,” she said. “Get a better knowledge of the injustices around the world and find where I can help”.

Latu-Meafou has been at I.G.G.S for two-and-a-half years and credits the school with a big role in her netball development.

The first team this year finished third in the Queensland Girls’ Secondary Schools Sports Association (Q.G.S.S.S.A) competition, but reached an all-time high of sixth place in the statewide Vicky Wilson Cup competition.

Meafou put it down to the team’s unity. “Many of our girls are really young so we had to connect on court,” she said. “There was no time for individuals”.

Latu-Meafou remains in the selection process for the Queensland under 19 team.

Given her accomplishments this year it seems hard to imagine her not getting selected.

Samoa have named an experienced side to take on Italy in Ascoli on Saturday with David Lemi captaining the islanders.

While there are four debutants on the bench, the starting line-up has a familiar feel to it, with nine players plying their trade in either the Aviva Premiership or the Top 14.

Lemi, of Bristol, is not one of those nine players, but he will captain the side from the left wing, while Tusi Pisi and Kahn Fotuali'i will form the half-back partnership.

A powerful back row featuring Taiasina Tuifua, Jack Lam and Piula Fa'aselele will have an important role to play but there are a few absences up front, with James Johnston out injured and his brother Census set to join up with the side next week, while Albert Anae is ruled out through suspension.

As a result, Stephen Betham has brought in four new faces among the replacements including Bordeaux-Bègles prop Albert Toetu.

The other debutants are in the backline, with scrum-half Pele Cowley, fly-half Michael Stanley and utility back Winston Stanley all in line to make their first Test appearances.

Samoa come into the game looking for a repeat of the result the last time these two sides met in June. On that occasion, in Apia, Samoa won comfortably, 15-0, thanks to five penalties from fly-half Pisi.

It is indeed a great pleasure to have been asked to speak on the occasion of the 2014 Writing Competition Prize Giving Programme, and I’m delighted to be here. .

I want to thank Samoa Observer for their vision which gave birth to a writing competition that is gaining more and more interest and support from schools around the country since its inception in 2011. With 150 entries in 2011 to 770 in 2014 it is quite a remarkable achievemen.

This tells me that the desire for writing has always been there in our students but somewhere somehow we as educators have failed to realise.

But then again we don’t know everything, and that is why this writing competition is so critically important to the efforts made by the Ministry and private institutions to improve the level of writing and reading skills of our students in both Samoan and English, which I’m sure will also greatly improve their overall academic performance.

As Minister for Education I applaud the Samoa Observer’s initiative.

Another outstanding product of this competition is the creation of partnerships which will help sustain this effort into the future for the benefit of the young people of our country.

Partnerships for improved education is a common theme in global education at the moment because education systems today are far more complex than they were a quarter of a century ago. To this end I want to say thank you to all the sponsors.

I absolutely agree with the notion that many of these stories could be published and used in our schools and I will see to it that this is done because as Marj Moore relayed to me in an email” these stories are written by us, about us.” The truth is we just don’t have enough local material to support our curriculum let alone books for pleasure reading.

My ministry has offered to provide funding for the publication of some of your stories.

I’m fascinated by people who write and I often ask myself “ what is it that makes people want to write;

Why would anyone want to write when there are hundreds of other more exciting things to do?” In my search to try and get into the minds of those who write, I came across some interesting responses to the question I’m posing:

Sir Ken Robinson has this to say, 1. I write to be fully alive. Writing draws me into the moment where my senses are operating at their peak and when I’m resonating with the excitement of this thing I am experiencing, I am fully alive.

2. I write to make a name for myself. George Orwell says “we write out of the desire to seem clever, to be talked about, to be remembered after death. It would be nice to live forever, but if you can’t live forever physically, then why can’t your memory live forever? We still talk about Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, George Elliot and many others, long after their deaths. It seems a selfish motivation but it’s certainly natural.

3. “We write to change the world” says Joseph Bunting. Today’s world is dominated by consumerism. We eat more, we listen to more music, and we consume more information.

But consumerism won’t make us happy. Writing gives us a chance to turn the tides on consumerism.

Instead of consuming more, we can make something, to bring new things into life. Humans have an innate gift to make new things. We write not just to change the world but to create a new world.

4. We write to discover meaning. In the book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning” Psychiatrist Victor Frank posited that the main search of mankind is not happiness or pleasure, but meaning” Life is never made unbearable by circumstances but only by lack of meaning and purpose. We write to bring meaning to the world.

And so this morning, as budding writers I’m sure you are beginning to resonate with what I have just said and in due time you will be able to sit back and say” Yes, I’m alive, I’m fully alive because I have experienced the moments, ordinary moments. Yes, I’ve made a name for myself and my memory will live forever. Yes, I’ve helped change Samoa and the world because I’ve been able to explore and bring new things into life. And, Yes, I’m the happiest person on earth because through my writing I have found meaning and purpose not only for myself but for others as well.

This morning we are gathered to celebrate your achievement as writers.

My compliment to all of you who have made the effort to submit your stories, and I congratulate those of you who are about to be declared winners of 2014. To those of you who didn’t make the prize category, e iai upu a le atunuu e faapea “o le aso ma le filiga o le aso foi ma le mataigatila.”

Loosely translated ‘today is your day, tomorrow is mine.’ Keep writing.

Thank you, Soifua

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s confidence in the boys in blue this weekend is unwavering. And he is urging the Toa Samoa and the Manu Samoa to play with Samoan pride and be courageous.

Don't be fearful,” he said, urging the teams to show their big Samoan hearts and tell the world about their country.

Tuilaepa made the comments during his weekly media conference.

He was asked ahead of Toa Samoa’s must win Four Nations match against Australia tomorrow as well as Manu Samoa’s opening game of its Northern Hemisphere tour, against Italy this weekend.

Tuilaepa conceded that so far, the Toa Samoa has been rather unlucky, narrowly losing to England and New Zealand.

But against Australia tomorrow, the Prime Minister said Toa Samoa has nothing to lose.

“Not only will they get the chance to enhance the future of Samoa (as a major rugby league team), it will also be a good opportunity to promote our country,” he said.

“The publicity on T.V will be great.”

The Prime Minister said the people who came to Samoa during the S.I.D.S conference would find out that Samoans are not just good at hosting, they can also play rugby league.

“Those are some of the things that we are proud of as a people,” he said.

Now putting on his hat as the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuilaepa said the Manu Samoa must not be fearful going into the game.

“When it comes to things like this, (some people) look like they are standing but they are already dead,” he said.

“That’s because some players are afraid. So don't be afraid. I encourage you to be courageous.”

“No game is an easy game but give it your best.”

As for the rest of the country, Tuilaepa said they must remember the teams in their prayers.

“It’s important that we continue to give them our support and blessings. These games are vital for us to maintain our world ranking.”

Relative', friends and fans of the late Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa are gathering in Apia this week to celebrate his life.

The celebration marks one year since the man simply referred to as “Fats” passed away. The Samoa celebrations are part of a weeklong commemoration, which will end in New Zealand with his official unveiling.

The celebration this week started on Thursday night during a gathering of friends and relatives of the legendary Manu Samoa figure at Vaitele.

A golf tournament was held at the Le Penina Golf Course yesterday to be followed by a concert at Sinalei Reef Resort this afternoon. All-time favourites, Ardijah, will entertain among others.

Earlier this week, Papali’itele’s widow, Anne and their children arrived in Samoa to revisit a place the Auckland-based Papali’itele had come to call home. On Thursday, they took flowers to the place where Fats parked his car and died at Savalalo on that unforgetable day, last year.

During Thursday night’s gathering at Conrad and Cecilia Keil’s place, close friend, former All Black and former Manu Samoa, Tiumalu Dylan Mika, recalled that fateful day. “A year ago, I was sitting at the breakfast table at Aggie’s when I was told you have gone,” Tiumalu said. “Not believing, I called your phone only to hear a stranger’s voice."

“I asked; who is this, where is Papali’itele? The caller replied - ua uma! Not believing him, he asked me to come and look.”

Papali’itele was a man with a big heart, Tiumalu remembered. “He was passionate, loyal, friendly, caring, a family man, who enjoyed Life to the fullest. Everyone knew him from the little kid down the road, the village people, elderly men and women, not to mention globally around the world. “Who did not know of this man? He was a humble and simple person that was truly dedicated to the cause.”

But Fats was particularly dedicated to Samoa. “His Love for Samoa was so strong, he would use all his contacts and resources to help. For example his recent position as Head Coach for the Women's Team! He was very Proud! He was going to move heaven and earth for his team; he had so much faith and belief in his girls.

“There were struggles but Fats did not let that hinder his focus on the task ahead. That is the man he was, he never gave up, he kept pursuing and pushing. He was a big bloke with a cheeky smile who could never say no but would always front up!” Tiumalu noted that one of Fats’ dream is finally being realised.

“Fats has always dreamt of seeing Samoa play the All Blacks in Samoa.

That dream has come to fruition as Samoa prepares to host the All Blacks next year.”

As a former All Black, Tiumalu said it will be “special day.”

“Even though Fats has gone, his memory will live on and I would like to present to the Samoan Rugby Union this Trophy from our family in memory of Fats."

"This trophy will be put up every time they play the All Blacks, the first being next year.”

Tiumalu also acknowledge Anne and the children Jeremiah, Vasa, Italia, Courtney, Manu, Shelby, Giovanni and Robert-Alan.

“The loss of a husband and a father, especially when someone you love so much is taken away from you suddenly is hard to accept. But take heed and know your father is so proud of you all.

“A year has gone by, still hard to believe Fats has gone, we all have our own special memories and times with him, his memory lives on in us! As Fats would say "Too Much!"

The opening of the $725,700 Vaivase Primary School building, which had been demolished by Cyclone Evan in 2012, brought back memories for the Australian High Commissioner.

Sue Langford told the gathering yesterday that the occasion was a special one for her.

“Thinking about this speech reminded me of when I was a child in Grade 2,” she said.

“My school was completely destroyed by a cyclone just before Christmas. I was living in Darwin with my family. The cyclone was called cyclone Tracey.”

Tracey did not just demolish Ms. Langford’s school, it also took her house.

“In fact, parts of my house were found around the school grounds. The devastation of the cyclone left a lasting impact on me.

And still today – I divide my childhood in two parts – before the cyclone and after the cyclone.”

According to the High Commissioner, Vaivase’s new building “is designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all the children that will be taught here."

“I trust that this new school block will help make learning fun and exciting for the Year 7 and 8 students, and I look forward to the great academic results that will be achieved by Vaivase Primary through the use of these classrooms.”

The project was carried out by Ah Liki Construction.

“The Vaivase Primary is one of the cyclone damaged schools that was selected to benefit from this funding.

And it has been ‘built back better’ to standards that maximise the potential for resilience to natural hazards such as cyclone winds& earthquakes.”

Prime Minister; Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi thanked Australia for their support.

The Minister of Education; Magele Mauiliu Magele, cut the ribbon.

Over a hundred new matai titleholders are ready to serve their family, church and village.

It follows a ceremony yesterday morning where they were bestowed titles at Tauese Apia.

The former Controller and Chief Auditor who is also the Sa’o of the family, Tamaseu Randy Warren, spoke on behalf of Sa Tamaseu family to prepare the new titles holders for what’s to come.

“Fulfilling the roles of the matai is not an easy task to carry out,” he said “You have to love and honour your family, church and village.“A matai title is about the life of service. A new matai name is a blessing to anyone. It not something that you just get today and then you forget tomorrow.” Apia

Orator, Tuiletufuga Siaosi Tuiletufuga, also spoke on behalf of the village in congratulating the new matai title holders. He wished them well.

“Don’t forget your service within our village,” Tuiletufuga reminded. He thanked to the Sa’o of the Tamaseu Family for the initiative.There ceremony started with church service to bless the new titleholders.

The new titleholders were humbled by the honour. They said they were extremely proud to have been chosen and are exited about the future. The bestowal ceremony was followed by traditional exchanges of gift, food and money.

The titles allocated to new holders were: Onofiatele, Tauili’ili, Va’amuaoali’i, Tapunu’u, Fa’asuatele, Sinaoloiē, Seugaipapa, Seumataalia,

Matuamaivanu, Lupeletai’ala, Auliaimale, Tuimulivai, Ta’aiseuga, Fa’atafugagaomanu, Tausēsē, Tulatoa, Seutaafili,Mamaomaivasa, Tufuipūpū,

Seumaalo,Seumataalia,Malo-ua-maua, Tulialetātā,Fueloloa,Tula’iifaletoa and Tuailepapa.

It has been a year since Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa was called home.

But his work of love and giving will be remembered by many people for years and years to come.

For the students of Avele College, former principal, Lafaitele Aiga Esera, says they will never forget the man she fondly refers to as Fatialofa.

“His name is Fatialofa and I translate it to Tune of Love,” Lafaitele says.

“His tune is being sung and will always be heard…gone out of sight but never out of mind.”

Recalling a school rugby trip to Japan in 2007, Lafaitele says Fats made a memorable donation.

As the Team Manager, Lafaitele told the students that the first person who makes a donation, whether it would be $20 or $100,it will be brought back to Samoa as their thanksgiving gift.

“We were in Fiji and I received a call from the receptionist that a man wanted to speak with me,” recalled the former principal of Avele.

“It was Fatialofa and he had wanted to meet the team.We planned to meet him for dinner on that day. So after our dinner on that night, Fatialofa passed on an envelope saying he didn’t have much to give as he was on his way to attend his mother’s birthday.”

When Lafaitele opened the envelope, she was surprised that Fatialofa had given NZ$500 to assist their team on the trip.

“His donation that day was a very special one that I will always remember,” she said.

“The money could have been for his mother’s birthday but he offered to help us with NZ$500…many words go unspoken but no good deed goes unnoticed.”

Remembering what she told the team about the first donation, she asked them if they had remembered what she had said.

“Most of them didn’t want to tell me what I had told them because they wanted to use the money but one student stood up and said what I had mentioned to them before the trip.

“So that donation from Fatialofa was a very special one for us as it was the first and that money was returned home. Half of it was given to the National Council of Churches and the other half went to the Carmelite sisters at Vailima.It was our thanksgiving gift and Fatialofa was the one who gifted it.”

Lafaitele said she would always remember Fats for his unconditional love to the people of Samoa whom he had loved and cherished.

On the day of Fats funeral, Lafaitele said she felt guilty that she didn’t get to share a wonderful story about Fatialofa. She said there were many eulogies from loved ones and those that knew him but she did not get the chance to tell her story of him. This is a poem Lafaitele wrote about Fatialofa:

Tune of love being sung and always be heard
Gone out of sight but never out of mind
For the great service done in life
Many words go unspoken,
Many thoughts go unheard,
But no good deed goes unnoticed
Especially for those who help so much.
Fa’afetaiFatialofa for living your name
The tune of Love.

Fatialofa’s life was the subject of much celebration in Samoa this week. It started on Thursday night at Conrad and Celine Keil’s place at Vaitele. On Friday, it moved to the Le Penina Golf Course.

Yesterday, Sinalei Reef Resort hosted a private function featuring Ardijah as special guests.

Rest in love, Fats!

The Asian Development Bank (A.D.B.) is taking the concerns voiced by a group of matai about customary land seriously.

Last year, the group raised a number of concerns about the A.D.B. assisting the government in promoting the use of customary lands for economic use.

The group, spearheaded by Lilomaiava Ken Lameta, of Vaimoso and Safotu, has since filed an official complaint against the A.D.B over a project they say “could alienate 80 per cent of all land in Samoa.” Other group members include Teleiai Dr. Sapa Saifaleupolu, of Samatau, Fiu Mataese Elisara, of Sili Savai’i and Leulua’iali’i Tasi Malifa, of Afega.

Initially, the Bank was somewhat dismissive about what the chiefs had to say.

But there appears to be a change of heart. In an email sent through to the matai, Special Project Facilitator
Office of the Special Project Facilitator (O.S.P.F.) for the A.D.B., Jitendra (Jitu) Shah is now proposing a field a mission to conduct a review and assessment of the complaint.

The mission is scheduled to start from 15 November to 6 December 2014, subject to governmental clearance.

“The mission will comprise of myself, Jennifer Francis, Lea Robidillo, and assisted by a local consultant,” Mr. Shah said.

“We have submitted a mission clearance request to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance in Samoa. “Kindly let us know your availability for a meeting during November 17-18 and we do hope you can join us at the meetings with the communities in various districts from November 19 to December 5.”

The local consultant has been confirmed as lawyer, Leota Tima Leavai. She will be working with the A.D.B team.

Mr. Shah also attached to his email a Terms of Reference (T.O.R) document titled Complaint on Samoa Promoting Economic Use of Customary Land

Technical Assistance and
Samoa Agribusiness Support Project
17, and a proposed list of meetings.

According to the T.O.R., the mission’s purpose is to conduct a review and assessment of the complaint lodged on 9 September 2014. “The review and assessment seeks to accomplish the following, understand the history of the complaint, confirm all stakeholders involved, clarify issues of concerns and options for resolving them,” the T.O.R. reads.

“(Also) to explore the stakeholders’ readiness for joint problem solving and recommend how the problem/s can be solved.” 


In regards to specific terms of reference, the A.D.B. plans to meet with all stakeholder groups involved in the projects.

According to the document, this is so it can introduce the O.S.P.F. and its purpose, describe the review and assessment process, discuss issues of the complaint and possible remedies.

The T.O.R. also state that the group plans to meet with A.D.B. project staff and consultants responsible for the Technical Assistance 8481/7387 and Grant 0392, orient them on A.D.B.’s 2012 Accountability Mechanism Policy specifically the

Problem- Solving Function, and discuss the purpose, schedule and roles/responsibilities of the staff and consultant during the review and assessment.

“(In addition to this) conduct site visits to meet with communities (sample to be identified) to better understand their knowledge of government’s efforts in promoting economic use of customary land,” the document reads.

“(Also) verify if communities have been informed about these efforts; and gain insights into community expectations and suggestions on the economic use of customary land.

“Conduct de-briefing, if required, with the government, complainants, and ADB to share OSPF’s preliminary findings and discuss possible next steps.”

This back flip from the A.D.B. comes after the group approached the Sunday Samoan, after it appeared their concerns fell on deaf ears at the Bank.

Group member, Fiu Mataese Elisara said as the group submitted an official complaint to the A.D.B. on December 19 2013 regarding the A.D.B.s technical assistance to the government of Samoa on promoting economic use of customary lands.

“And where we believed contrary to the policies of A.D.B. as this was in our view tantamount to alienation of customary lands through allowing customary lands to be used as security and collateral to achieve this,” he said.

“Laws in this country were passed to enable this to be implemented and we have ‘voiced’ our concerns about this in a number of avenues such as publicity in Samoa Observer.” He said when they submitted their initial complaint they were treated with indifference from the Bank.

“As you know, we received a rather dismissive response from A.D.B. two months later on 21 February 2014,” said Fiu.

“We then re-submitted a comprehensive complaint to the O.S.P.F. of the A.D.B. dated August 29, 2014, which you kindly published in full in your Sunday Observer September, 28 2014.

“As a result of that, the A.D.B. in its letter to us dated September 29 2014, found our complaint eligible for investigation by the O.S.P.F. in order to try and find a solution to our discourse. “This letter from A.D.B. O.S.P.F. was published in Samoa Observer of October 07, 2014.”

Fiu reiterated, that the group of matai are not objecting to the use of customary lands for economic development.

“However, we cannot accept the way the government has gone about it to achieve this, allowing customary lands to be mortgaged, tantamount to alienation of customary lands despite their assurance that this was secure under the constitution,” he said.

“In our research, we find that A.D.B. policies have been compromised by it giving assistance to the Samoa government to achieve this.

“Hence their mission to investigate our complaint as in the email below and the attachments.”

He said he and his colleagues believe the government information sharing process that facilitated this failed the meaningful consultation test and we will discuss with the A.D.B. mission of its O.S.P.F. team our action plan and strategy where we are confident required to achieve this.

“The final decision is up to the people of this country out in the rural villages who own 80 per cent of customary lands,” said Fiu.

“And that requires proper and meaningful consultation in order to enable them fully understand the long term impact of a decision that supports or rejects the goals of the government and A.D.B. in the key matter of collective and cultural ownership of customary lands in Samoa.

“The mission is therefore here to spend three weeks to review our complaint.”

"We became involved with people affiliated in the “underworld”. In the underworld, everyone fights for recognition. That’s how I made the wrong choice, got involved in the wrong crowd and that’s how I got caught.I took that life that I thought was going to make fast money; selling drugs and all sorts of things”

Every month, Samoa welcomes into her arms an average of four criminal deportees.

Most of these deportees have left Samoa in their tender ages along with their families to the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand to find a greener pasture.

However, they ended up looking for trouble.

Now after spending years in foreign prison cells, freedom awaits them in this humble paradise.

The Samoa Returnees Charitable Trust (S.R.C.T) established in 2010 to proactively address issues related to criminal deportees as they were increasingly becoming a law enforcement issue in Samoa and in the region.

The main objective of the Trust is to promote, advance and carry out in Samoa rehabilitation and reintegration programs for criminal deportees.

After four years of existence, S.R.C.T boasts success stories of its members. We look at some of them today.

Siva AfiPapali’itele60 years old

Papali’i went to Hawaii in 1979. He was a professional wrestler for 10 years until the WWF New York recruited him. In New York, he started to mix with bad people. He became greedy for money and became a U.S. Mafia enforcer.

“I was looking for something, there was a big void in my heart so I became an alcoholic,” he said.“I thought that’s where I can fill the void, and I became a drug addict. But I couldn’t find anything that could fill the heart.

“I was an enforcer of Mafia in America and you know that kind of life is a horrible life then I ended up in prison in 1998 where I was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment to die in the prison.”

“When I was in prison, I started to believe in God. After 10 years in prison, the government suddenly said I could come home. Without any doubt in my life, I see that a door God opened for me to change.”

He was brought back to Samoa in 2007. In Samoa, he studied for four years and last year, he earned a Ministerial degree and now works for RHEMA Bible College.

And he has a Message to the other returnees.

“I believe that no man can be changed unless changed from the inside. There is hope in Christ; you have to come to the Lord. There is always a place for people to come back to the Lord,” he said.

“They need to do something for the future generation here in Samoa, yes we did wrong but you cannot stay that way. You can use those things to correct and do something good to help the generation today.”

George Tofilau, 59 years old

George left Samoa in 1978 for Hawaii with a dream for a brighter future.

“My family used to have a construction company, we used to work with the heavy equipments. That was the backbone of my family and we grew up into that kind of work and that’s how we make money,” he said.

“We became involved with people affiliated in the “underworld”. In the underworld, everyone fights for recognition. That’s how I made the wrong choice, got involved in the wrong crowd and that’s how I got caught.

“I took that life that I thought was going to make fast money; selling drugs and all sorts of things.”

He was sentenced back in the 80’s but things got worst in prison.

“I became a leader of gang inside the prison. We organized a group just so we can stick together and we used to run drugs. We call it as a family.”

“A racial war broke inside the prison and we ended up killing the leader of the white and because I was the leader of my gang, I had to face the consequence.”

“When I got another case inside the prison, I was then facing a death penalty (electric chair) in Texas, I said to myself, this is the end of my life, I have nowhere else to go”

“But somehow God just got a hold of me”

“When I was in isolation, the only thing they allowed me to have is the bible, I read the book even though I didn’t understand what it says I just knew there is something digging deeper and deeper in my soul.

“They finally let me out after 20 years in prison, which I do not know how they did it because I didn’t face any hearing or anything.”

Arriving in Samoa in 2003, he was totally lost. His wife and kids in Hawaii flew to Samoa to reunite with him. He went to lie in Pago and he was supposed to go back to Hawaii but he came back to Samoa.

While in Samoa, someone invited him to join a seminar at RHEMA Bible School.

“I felt this is what I’ve been looking for all my life. This is where I start to gain understanding on everything that I’ve read about the bible.”

His message to the other returnees, “The choice you make in a moment will determine the outcome of your life; either bad or good.”

“Ask God before you make the choice.”

VaaimaliToilolo, 39 years old

Vaaimalileft Samoa with his family when he was two months old for the United States.

“Like a lot of us that come from Samoa, it’s easy to adopt to the new culture,” he said.

“I got caught up in a lot of gangs and drugs.Last time I went to prison I stayed for 12 straight years.”

From 1995-96-2007, he was sentenced for kidnap for ransom with 8 years jail term. But in prison, things got little rough. He got involved with subculture in prison and the politics.

He was brought back to Samoa in 2007.

“When I came here, it was a bit rocky because I come to a place where I haven’t been to since I was a baby,” he said. “The culture, the traditions, that was all lost because I didn’t speak the language so that became difficult and also the stigma of being an ex-con.

“But at the same time I figured that the only to do things is to push forward and one of the things I appreciate now is freedom.”

“So with the help of Natalia Perero, she worked for UNESCO, I got together with her and she was one of those who pushed for the Samoa Returnees Charitable Trust. And I helped her do the data and researched for all the other returnees and helped to get publicity and finally that’s how we were able to establish ourselves.”

His message to his fellow returnees: “With freedom can come everything, at the same time freedom can come nothing and it all depends on you, it all depends on us. So rather than become a burden in the community, we can utilize what we have, our skills, and our experiences from the past to help promote a safer community.”

He now works at the Coral Reef Academy as a Residential Case Manager.

Motoi Fauatea, 43 years old

Motoi left Samoa with his family in 1988 at the age of nine to Hawaii.

“We moved right into the heart of housing community where gangs and drugs are present,” he remembered.

“I was a part of the gang from 8 years old all the way until maybe 20 years old. I was living in the projects, in the housing in Hawaii and Utah and from there I started to be in gangs and just been doing a lot of gang activities like carting, stealing and robberies.It lead to bank robberies and that’s how I ended up being arrested in 1996.

“I went in and I was supposed to do five years. If I participate and follow the prison norm and the schedule, I could have got out 3 ½ years on good behavior but I just got into more trouble, I started doing more robberies in prison and I ended up doing eight years.

“And then after that, they released me and then the immigration prison system picked me up so they sent me to Arizona and I did time there, I could have gotten out early and deported but I fought my case and lost and then I got deported back to Samoa in 2004.

“I got back and went back to using drugs because I was lonely, I didn’t have no family. I went back to my old ways, instead of robbery, I used drugs I went drinking because I was miserable and lost and confused.

“I met my wife and had a son and when I had my son that opened my eyes because now I have somebody to raise, It wasn’t about myself anymore. I named him chance because he was my second chance, he was the one who opened my eyes, I had to find work so I came here to Coral Reef I applied and got the job.

“And I started working (Coral Reef Academy); I’ve been here now for 6 and a 1/2 years. I started out as a mentor and less than 2 years I became the sports coordinator and the photographer.

“So I have five kids now, two are in school and three are getting ready to go to school. My kids opened my eyes. I started working hard and I love it here now.”

His message to his fellow deportees: “Don’t give up, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.It may seem like here in Samoa, there’s nothing you can do but there is, you just have to have hope and not give up and I am praying man so I pray, and yeah to start a family.”All four are members of the Samoa Returnees Charitable Trust.

The S.R.C.T estimates that there are over 250 deportees in the country.

The S.R.C.T encourages all the other deportees to become part of the Trust.

One of S.R.C.T’s project is the Act Right Do Right Programme where they do intervention campaign in colleges to students who are right there on the fence; Students who do not know if they want to be good or bad.

According to S.R.C.T’s Senior Returnees Officer, Vernon Mackenzie, “The reason why we do it is because our members have been there, they done that, they’ve been there in jail, and they know the signs. And 15 years ago they were sitting there but the experiences that they gone through, they want to share it to the kids.

“Look you may be a bad kid but when you get to jail or juvenile hall, you’re just a new fish. You are going to be beat up or even worse so that’s the reason why we go to get the message out there to these kids because there are a lot of things going on at school.”

The S.R.C.T have been engaging the service of its members to do various community work.For more information and if you want to be a part of the SRCT, you may visit them at their Mulinu’u office or you may call them at 27498/24503.