NEWSROOM: 01 July - 07 July 2007

XIII South Pacific Games to be 'clean and green'
07 July 2007 - Source: SPREP

It is hoped the spirit of the 13th South Pacific Games in Samoa will branch towards the environment with a 'Play it clean and green' campaign to be launched by SPREP, UNDP and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE).

Over a period of two set days during the South Pacific Games, athletes, officials, managers and the general public will be given the opportunity to plant 2015 native trees at the Tuanaimato National Park situated next to the Faleata Sports Complex. 2015 represents the target year established for the Millennium Development Goals.

This will assist with carbon off-setting to help reduce the carbon dioxide released into the air. Nature has its own method for absorbing carbon emissions through trees and the ocean, yet this natural system cannot keep up with the generated levels of carbon dioxide.

The planting of more trees around the world assists with the absorption. During the South Pacific Games, visitors to the nation and its residents will have the opportunity to play a personal role in carbon off-setting by planting a native tree.

Each person who plants a tree during this time will be documented in a 'Tree Ambassador' book, and will receive a 'medal' to acknowledge their participation. It is also intended that each tree planted will be tagged with a label reflecting the person's name and country.

As Samoa counts down to the XIII South Pacific Games, SPREP will be issuing further releases about the 'Play it clean and green campaign'.
 

SASNOC: Games preparations on track
06 July 2007 - Source: SASNOC/eventpolynesia.com

The umbrella national body for sports in Samoa, the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) has released a public statement on the status of their preparations for the XIII South Pacific Games to be hosted in Apia next month. This is the second time the games have been held, the first occasion being in 1983. The Games will run from 25 August to 8 September, followed by the Teuila Festival from 9-11 September.

Sports Delivery:

The SPGOC (South Pacific Games Organising Committee) is into the final phase of sport delivery with meetings with each of the 33 sports in Samoa being held last week and this week, and a final venue audit set for later in July.

The appointment of the personnel who will deliver the sports and the VIPs planning to attend are to be found in the following list:

* International Technical Officials (residing at Tofamamao Pastoral Center)
* Technical Delegates (Hotel Accommodation)
* Pacific Games Association VIPs (Hotel Accommodation)
* International Federation Representatives (Hotel Accommodation)
* 33 Local Competition Managers
* 33 Local Venue Managers

Doping Control:

SPGOC will conduct approximately 100 random tests to ensure that the Games have a strong drug free message. The 22 countries have been sent an update recently from the Regional anti Doping Organisation (RADO) on procedures for Doping Control.

Catering:

Catering consultant Mr David Payne will return to Samoa later this month to assist in the negotiations, and will be on hand during the Games to monitor the catering performance. (eds note: it was announced recently that a consortium of local caterers have won the tender to provide the meals for the games with approximately 10,000 meals to be served daily for athletes and officials).

Village Accommodation:

The final allocation of school accommodation to the 22 participating countries has been completed. Countries will be notified later this week of their allocations. (eds note: the main accommodation locations are the Malifa and NUS school compounds in Apia).

Transport:

Contracts have now been signed with vehicle owners for the athletes and VIP transport during the Games. A Games Transport Office has been opened at Malifa, where work has commenced on vehicle and driver scheduling for the Games.

Ma le faaaloalo lava,

Vaeolenofoafia Vui Tapasu Leung Wai
SASNOC President and Chairman SPGOC
 

Catholic Youth meet in Apia for week of fellowship
05 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Catholic World Youth Week is being celebrated in Samoa this week with youth from all over the country assembling in Apia for a week of festivities from 2-7 July. Youth groups from Australia will also be attending. It will be a chance for youth to share and meet in fellowship in a public environment, and not just in the confines of their homes or small villages as they are used to.

Unfortunately, groups from Hawaii, USA and American Samoa were not able to attend.

According to the leader of Samoa's Catholic Church, Archbishop Alapati Matailiga, the theme for the week-long programme will be the 'Appreciation of Youth and Entertainment'.

The youth gathering was officially opened with a service held on Monday which was led by the Archbishop himself. Archbishop Matailiga stressed in his sermon "that the main objective of the church and parents is Christian living of the youth and for them to not be easily led astray with Satan and the vices of this world."

The service was also the first held at the newly renovated Catholic Hall in Apia since it opened last week. The hall was once formerly known as the Feiloaimauso Hall. But it has now been renamed 'Tuutuu i le Loloto Hall'.

In an interview with Father Petelo Leilua, he stated that "from Monday to Friday, each Parish will be selling produce and handicraft at the stalls set up in the Hall. It will be up to each Parish what they can sell at a fee of only $10 per day for each stall to help out with the week's organisation."

Many talents are being showcased during the festivities from marketing skills, to spiritual and Christian insights. Activities held include debating, gospel singing, dancing and sports.

According to Faataua o le Ola Society of Samoa, the Catholic Youth Week and other programmes like this ensure the youth are given the chance to share. This was an opportunity for youth to be involved not only with the programme itself, but also the planning of the activities as a pathway of life for them, especially from a Christian and spiritual point of view.

At the closure of the programme on Saturday, 7 July, there will be a special service for the ordination of one blessed youth by Father Petelo Une, to be held at Mulivai Cathedral. A prize giving will also be held afterwards.
 

Adventist Book Center opens to the public
04 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

"A wish come true, is like the tree of life." This was the theme of the sermon given by the General Secretary of the Samoa Seventh Day Adventist Church, Paulo Pelenato, at the opening of the Adventist Book Center (ABC) at Lalovaea, Apia.

The prayer of blessing was conducted by President Uili Solofa with Raelene Oakland cutting the ribbon to open the ABC. Guests at the opening were then allowed to enter and view the book store.

The book center will not only provide an assortment of stationary and Christian Books, but also volumes on the history of the Church. ABC also sells children's books for educational and spiritual growth.

Representatives of the Adventist Book Center of the Pacific, Pastor Doug Oakland and his wife Raelene Oakland, travelled from New Zealand especially for the opening. Pastor Oakland testified that the Samoa Adventist Book Center is now independent of its site at Lalovaea Samoa.

ABC will not only be in service for Samoa, but also in the region for the Seventh Day Adventist church.

Minister of Inland Revenue and Customs, Tuu'u Anasii Leota, in his main address congratulated the Seventh Day Adventist Church for their accomplishment. He stressed the inroads made with the availability of books printed from all over the world at a church-owned book store in Samoa.

ABC will also be selling cereals and other vegetarian food products produced by the Sanitarium Food Company.

ABC will also be a great addition to the limited book stores in Samoa, particularly from a religious perspective.
 

$10,000 for Robert Louis Stevenson School
03 July 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet had approved financial assistance of $10,000 for Robert Louis Stevenson School in the commemoration of its twentieth anniversary.

Robert Louis Stevenson School is noted for the outstanding academic results its students have achieved in the past as well as the present.

A special programme to celebrate the school's twentieth anniversary took place on Wednesday 27th June, 2007.
 

Business Of The Week: Electric Power Corporation (Samoa)
02 July 2007 - Source: Media Release - EPC

EPC's mission to continue providing reliable and affordable electricity for Samoa, is strongly supported by the implementation of renewable energy projects. Recent times have seen a growing concern for the environment with an international focus on reducing non-renewable energy consumption.

Cabinet has approved putting in place negotiations with regards to the construction of a new power station for the Electric Power Corporation. The construction of this new power station is the recognition of the need to develop high power generation solutions for Samoa which means improved power supply for both Upolu and Savaii and minimal environmental impacts.

This week, the EPC Geographic Information System (GIS) Unit is implementing their power pole tagging strategy in Apia and surrounding villages.Uniquely identifying the power poles in such a way, will allow EPC to improve routine inspection and maintenance activities. EPC also expect that the identification system will improve customer service by shortening response time due to faster identification of pole location.

"If customers quote a pole number, EPC staff will be able to instantly display a map of the location, details and even a photograph using the newly developed computerized system. This system will have many applications including street light repairs, faults and emergency response" says Nomeneta Saili, MIS/GIS Officer.

Further to the pole tag installation, a pilot study will be conducted on installing Reflectors Strips on 'high-risk' poles to help prevent damage to assets and to act as awareness indicators when it is dark or overcast.

"EPC is committed to improving community safety. We see this strategy as a means of reducing the number of vehicle accidents involving power poles, by greatly increasing their visibility in poorly lit areas," said Executive Assistant to the General Manager Moira Lockington.

This week, Edward Langham is the latest Australian volunteer to join as part of the Volunteering for International Development from Australia (VIDA) program and will be working as a Renewable Energy Project Developer/Advisor.

Edward will be working closely with the General Manager of EPC, aiding the development, management and coordination of renewable energy projects such as bio-fuel, wind and hydro power. EPC already has a well established renewable energy power source with about 50% of Samoa's electricity generated through hydropower, as compared to the world average of 19%.

According to Edward, "increasing the uptake of local renewable energy resources will help Samoa to become less reliant on increasingly expensive imported oil. Furthermore, the uptake of renewable energy is an established means of improving energy security and increasing national control over operating costs in utility sectors worldwide."
 

Person of the Week: Br Faimafili Henry Ugapo
01 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Brother Faimafili Henry Ugapo is a minister for the Kosena Seventh Day Adventist Church, Matatufu on the eastern side of Upolu.

Brother Faimafili has been in the ministry for two years and is currently residing at Matatufu with his wife Theresa, enjoying and experiencing the love of God in their church, and also the work that God has called for them to do in this world, and for the world to come.

Brother Faimafili attended Afega and Puapua Primary Schools before moving to American Samoa. He later returned to Samoa to finish his schooling attending Maluafou College in Apia, then to Fulton College, Fiji where here completed his Diploma in Theology. In 2005, he went on to Papua New Guinea to attend the Pacific Adventist University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in
Theology.

Last year, Brother Faimafili began his first year in the Ministry pastoring Kosena Seventh Day Adventist Church. Members of his congregation live miles apart from Le Mafa Pass to the village of Saleapaga.

Brother Henry and members of the Kosena SDA Church are currently running an evangelistic program at Matatufu which is open to anyone. Their ministry includes regular home visits to elderly and sick people in the villages and a youth sports evening which is well received by the local community.

Once a year, the Kosena SDA church runs an Elderly Day at their premises which includes health checks lead by Dr. Mamea Emosi Puni and which is open to everyone. A circumcision clinic is also run by Dr. Puni at Kosena SDA Church for young boys of Matatufu and nearby villages.

Brother Faimafili met his wife Theresa Pelenato while attending Fulton College. She was also a student there. Theresa is currently teaching at the Samoa Adventist College in Lalovaea, Apia.
 

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