The International Labour Organization (I.L.O) and the United States Embassy celebrated the achievements of three outstanding young Samoans yesterday.
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Dr. Erna Takazawa, Dr. Salote Vaai and Alama Maulu were presented with certificates and $1,000 each for their contribution to Samoan society as social entrepreneurs.
This is the first time for such awards to be presented.
Interim U.S Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, Llewellyn Hedgbeth, congratulated the award winners.
“Their tireless efforts have already brought about positive change within the Samoan communities,” she said.
The three young Samoans were chosen based on their innovative solutions to society's most pressing social problems.
Funded by the US Embassy Small Grants Scheme and the I.L.O Samoa National Action Plan on Youth Employment Project, the initiative recognised the outstanding efforts of three young people.
The Urban Youth Social Entrepreneurship Award winner, Erna Takazawa, was awarded for her contribution to free and increased access to eye care for children and the elderly.
The Rural Youth Social Entrepreneurship Award winner, Alama Muaulu, was awarded for his work on the capacity building of women’s committees and sustaining the livelihoods of seamstresses on the island of Savaii by fixing sewing machines.
The National Social Entrepreneurship Award and Project winner, Dr. Salote Vaai, was recognized for founding Project Paeds, a volunteer based goodwill project devoted to improving the lives of hospitalized children in Samoa.
Each Awardee receives a $1000 to invest in their social entrepreneurship venture.
Dr. Takazawa will put it towards lenses for children, Muaulu will buy himself a business license and establish a legal presence for his business and Dr. Vaai will invest it in the reading and cupcake programme for Project Paeds.
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