Amidst the buzz at the S.I.D.S conference are business people, students and artists of sorts who are there to showcase their work.
Their base is the S.I.D.S Village, which has been one of the most frequented places at the venue, since it was opened last week.
The businesses from Samoa and abroad are joined by schools and other organisations looking to make their presence felt at the biggest conference to have been hosted by Samoa.
“We decided to be here at Tuana’imato during the S.I.D.S Meeting because we want the people who are attending the meeting to know how talented these young kids are,” said Time Afoa, of Loto Taumafai. “Despite the fact that they have special needs, they can also do what normal people do and they are here to showcase their talents.”
Speaking of talents, the Principal of Leulumoega Fou Art School, Pelenato Ioane Liufau, says S.I.D.S is providing their students with the exposure they need.
“This is a great opportunity for the students to showcase their skills not only to the people of Samoa but for the people of several different countries who are here for the conference,” said Pelenato.
The school has played a key part in decorating Tuana’imato and during the week of S.I.D.S, students are there with their tools to work on carvings and different sculptures.
“We wanted to be here and do the work in front of people so they can see that the work is done by Samoan people here in Samoa.”
But the Village is not just about the Samoans.
Sandhya Narayan, of the Friend Fiji Business, promoting Indo Fijian tea, sees S.I.D.S as an exciting opportunity for them.
“I think being part of this is very important because us as a Fijian business, we have a product that we think will help with the health of the people,” said Narayan.
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“We know that Samoans love to drink coffee and tea, so our product is more like an Indo Fijian tea and we want the people to taste it.
Once they do, they will believe it and it’s good for the health.”
The National University of Samoa department of design and textiles is also there.
“Well we want the visitors to see how of Samoa are very creative in their artworks,” said Leala Mose Ng Lam.
“We want them to know that we can not only do one thing or two, but more than that. There are ten of us who are doing this project and we’re all doing different crafts for to showcase the creativity of Samoa to our visitors.”
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