NEWSROOM: 29 July - 04 August 2007

Apia Primary Social Assembly
04 August 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

This is an event the teachers and especially students at the Apia Primary look forward to as a finale, to mark the end of each semester. The different classes have the chance to perform various cultural items like dancing, dramas, etc. for parents and teachers.

It is also during these assemblies that you will see the true personalities of the students, which the teachers do not often see in the classrooms. Everyone joins in the various games played; winning or losing is not a matter of importance as long as everyone joins in the fun.

The students take pride in their cultural performances and displays. The colourful leis and traditional wear won by the boys and the girls is a scene not to be missed, as the parents make sure their children are well presented for their performances.

After a day of excitement, fun and activities, students’ teachers and parents look forward to a repeat or an even better assembly at the end of the next semester.
 

Muay Thai alive and well in Samoa
03 August 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Muay Thai Samoa is an association providing elementary to advanced level training and coaching in the ancient sport of Muay Thai, which originated in Thailand. Like many States in Australia, The popularity of the sport has spread worldwide, with a heavy following in Australia and growth in the Pacific. Muay Thai Samoa (MTS) is the foundation incorporated society of the sport, waiting final approval for affiliation with SASNOC.

The principal aims of MTS are to provide a central organisation to foster growth and represent the Muay Thai interests of Samoa in the national, regional and international sports arenas and organisations. Muay Thai Samoa operates currently through the generosity and volunteer resources of friends and parents of many of the younger students. It is at the stage where the organisation is required to move structures and the next level "formalising its approach" will be preparing organisation and management structures and promoting sport and association throughout Samoa initially and then regionally in the Pacific.

MTS and the sport of Muay Thai in Samoa grew from humble beginnings. Small classes at the local gym began out of a need for some young swimming athletes to increase their upper body strength, general fitness levels and flexibility. Muay Thai disciplines and training were readily accepted as an appropriate from of cross training by many other sporting bodies at both club and national level in Samoa, including swimming, outrigger canoeing, golf and soccer.

The sport proper has grown to the extent that it now has its own designated facility and currently holds classes for children / beginners groups, intermediate and advanced classes and it is our intention to add two extra categories; an adult’s mixed class and women's only self defense class. This will allow us to increase out target audience and in turn provide an activity vehicle for the local community, schools and other interested parties.
 

New Zealand Volunteers Share Skills with local Red Cross
02 August 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

A group of volunteers who travelled to Samoa on the RNZ Navy HMS Resolution from New Zealand has pledged their service and time whilst in Samoa, to help the Samoa Red Cross. The HMS Resolution arrived last weekend and left on its goodwill mission to Tokelau, which departed Sunday night 29 July. Meanwhile the volunteers stayed back in Samoa to offer their time to the local Red Cross Society.

Whilst there are many services in the public sector that need assistance, the group has offered to volunteer their time to share work skills and fellowship with the local Red Cross. Their visit was targeting the current local Red Cross Workshop Schedule, which is currently being run around the country. The visit also coincides with the Red Cross workshops in preparation for the South Pacific Games.

The eleven member group of volunteers are all from New Zealand. In an interview with Event Polynesia this week, team leader Lieutenant Commander Bill Spencer said “This first visit to Samoa by the team is not only important for them offering their help but the experience to work side by side with the local Red Cross is an experience to treasure”. He went on to say “During our weeklong engagement in Samoa, the team will at least have some experience of the Samoan way of doing work and get a fair idea of the way of life and the language here”

The main objective of the group’s visit to Samoa is to offer their volunteer service to the Red Cross. The group brings trade skills including electrical, plumbing and carpentry, which they will share with their local counterparts. In addition to their trade skills, the group is also qualified to teach First Aid courses for the on the field and support services for teams and officials during the games.

The volunteers will return to New Zealand on Saturday and hope that before they leave, they will have contributed to the Samoa Red Cross and at the same time learned a thing or two from them.
 

South Pacific College of Natural Therapies
01 August 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Principal and Executive Members of the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies are in Samoa this week meeting with the local ‘Taulasea’. The SPCNT is in Samoa to hold awareness seminars with the local healers and to share with them what is offered at their course of study in New Zealand.

According to Fata Koroseta To’o, a Samoan senior consultant with Pacific Island Affairs who accompanied SPCNT Principal Ms Glynn Lorrigan; “the college would like to formalise the training of island Taulasea and bring them in to the college for certification and proper training. Whilst the local Taulasea are professionals in their own right and increasingly accepted by western society, we still need to formalise their methods and also the preparation of their medicine”

Fata reiterated, “The school was not looking to cash in on the expertise of the Taulasea and make money on their medicine, but more to offer them an option to formalise their training, get accepted to practice their trade and work at medical facilities and clinics in Australasia”.

“Moreoverly, they will be earning a healthy living plying their trade. Any benefits realised from their natural herbs and medicine should be and will be credited to the Taulasea themselves,” added Fata

Ms Glynn Lorrigan also added that the College of Natural Resources would like to share some of the natural healing knowledge that they now have with the local Taulasea, and in turn, would like to glean knowledge from them. The school includes students and healing methods from Taulasea from all over the Pacific and Asia Region and would love to include the Samoa Taulasea knowledge in their curricula. She further stated; “There is an increasing need in a multiethnic society like New Zealand and Australasia for diverse healing and natural healing methods and it is an opportunity for work and livelihood for local Taulasea”

During a Press Conference at Tuutuu ile Loloto Hall Mulivai, the local media had a barrage of questions to fire at the visitors and most of the queries were concerning Samoa and its Taulasea, for the knowledge and medicine to be taken offshore and benefiting other individuals and societies. Fata reiterated that Pacific Island Affairs were adamant that the local healers would be credited for any knowledge and medicine they share with the college. However, the local Taulasea and the local media who spoke mostly on their behalf wanted a lot more assurance that the talk during the press conference.

In closing, Ms Lorrigan and Fata summed up their press conference by thanking the local media and Taulasea and added that what they were offering was an option for the local Taulasea to consider.
 

Event Polynesia Village plays host during SPG2007
31 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

As host country of the upcoming 13th South Pacific Games, to be held in Apia, Samoa is buzzing with preparations for what is set to be the best games ever.

Also playing host during the Samoa SPG2007 games is Corona Beer and local multimedia and event management company, Event Polynesia.

From 2 pm - 6 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the games, the Event Polynesia Village will be the place to meet new friends.

According to Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera of Event Polynesia, "Hosting international games is not just about the competition and athletes; it also requires attention to the needs of supporters and visitors. The Event Polynesia Village is our contribution to ensure that SPG2007 is a success
and a memorable occasion".

Hotel Kitano Samoa foreground is the venue, transformed into an island village open air setting with safe and comfortable amenities. For 4 hours, guests will be entertained with good music plus a cultural show and demonstrations in between.

The Corona Bar underneath the swaying coconut trees will serve icy cold Corona beer, tropical cocktail punch, cold niu, Orchy juice, water and kava tasting. Pupu is provided; plus umu of meat, taro, palusami and chefs choice salad for the 5 pm buffet. Offering the best of Samoan hospitality at ONE price.

The Event Polynesia Village also offers the opportunity to rub shoulders with other regional executives, for partnership building and striking business deals.

An exhibition area and internet service on site at good rate means you don't have to go anywhere else to shop and connect to home.

Again, the Event Polynesia Village will provide you unrushed time to meet, mix and mingle with new friends starting 20 August until 7 September.

The Event Polynesia Village will certainly be the meeting place for athletes, officials and visitors away from the competition commotion.

Relax responsibly!
 

Business of the Week: Leifiifi Travel & Tours
30 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Leifiifi Travel & Tours started its services to the public in 1997 with Mrs Sonya Ah Tune, who is also the owner and proprietor of the Travel Company, running a one person office.

According to ‘Sonya’, as Mrs Ah Tune is widely known, the name Leiffiifi is to signify the importance of the Ifi tree and is also the namesake of their village where the business is located. (The Ifi tree has high quality timber, which is used for furniture and its fruit is a favourite Samoan delicacy when cooked).

Like all small businesses, to begin with, it was not much of a money spinner, with only one person running the travel business from a part time office and without all the tools that were needed. It was in September 1998 that Sonya made the decision to set up a permanent office with more employees, in order to increase her clientele.

Sonya then also decided to diversify the company’s services by offering all the services needed for travel, including immigration and visa preparation, instead of just being a travel ticket office. She also realised that the time taken for preparation of her clients’ travel was vital, so that she could cater also to last minute and emergency travel and not just the odd overseas traveller. In addition to emergency travel to funerals and other urgent family matters, last minute travel to weddings, graduations and business meetings was a growing target market she needed to capture.

She also recognised the growing market of overseas seasonal workers, who needed quick service. The increased migration of Samoans for employment, especially to New Zealand, also created another service by way of clients who had overstayed their initial permits and visas and who now wanted to extend their stay abroad, or wanted to attain permanent residence, especially in New Zealand and Australia. These two countries, especially so New Zealand, have a bilateral immigration agreement with Samoa, so there was always a chance for Samoan residents to apply for permanent residence and the travel industry should be geared to assist and provide the support service needed.

Leifiifi Travel & Tours is located opposite the Malifa Four Corners and borders Malifa, Leifiifi and Lalovaea. It is housed together with a family Mom and Pop store called Ray’s Corner. At the moment Sonya and her husband Ray Ah Tune run three businesses from their complex, including Leifiifi Travel & Tours, Ray’s Corner, and Sonya’s Units. The Mom and Pop store Ray’s Corner opens at 6.00am and closes at 5.00pm, whilst Leifiifi Travel & Tours offers a 24 hour service to accommodate last minute travel preparations.

Ray’s Corner also serves as a bar and restaurant, part of the multipurpose hospitality service of Sonya’s businesses. She has picked up on many long term clients who have helped grow her business with its special personal treatment to last minute travel for both business and family clientele.

It is that extra mile Sonya goes for her clients which has prompted the diversification and growth of her business. This is the key reason for the success of the business, and Sonya’s efforts are finally turning into financial rewards.

Sonya is adamant that the service she provides not only makes her clients happy but especially, that it can cater for and make her Samoan people happy. Whether it is travel, permanent residence assistance, or accommodation and dining, Sonya always puts her best foot forward.

An attempt to help friends who wanted to come in at night, to relax and enjoy a beer and the ‘pokies’ in the comfort of Ray’s Corner prompted her latest business venture; catering. After three years of running the restaurant and doing part time catering for some of her business clients’ office parties, she has now put both feet into the catering business as is evident with the Samoa Caterers Cartel, who recently won the catering bid for the 13th South Pacific Games athletes and officials.

Mrs Ah Tune would like to thank Teleiai Su'a Edwin Puni of Event Polynesia Ltd., for the business tips that he has given her over the years. Furthermore, eventpolynesia.com has helped her tremendously with the promotion of Leifiifi Travel & Tours and her extended business over the years.
 

Person of the Week: Taefu Lupematasila Vaa
29 July 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Taefu Lupematasila Vaa is the Managing Director of Moatoga Upholstery Services, based at Fugalei. Opposite the Fugalei National Market, Moatoga Upholstery Services have been very busy serving the people of Samoa since it opened its doors two years ago.

Sila was educated at Vaipouli College in Savaii and in 1990 enrolled at Porirua Polytechnic where he learned the upholstery and furniture making trade. He graduated there after two years and got his certificate in carpentry. Most of what he knows today about upholstering is through his efforts to try and learn the trade from shops in New Zealand and Australia and on-the-job projects at his shop in Samoa.

He was more attracted to upholstery and that was where his interests lie, with his plans in the future including household furniture, car upholstery and detailing.

In 1994, Sila moved to Australia and worked at a major K-Mart Furniture Factory and it was here that he shaped his experience and career for the future. This same year he married Sufali Sione and they later moved to Samoa in 1996 where they started their first business running taxis. Sila and his wife Sufali started planning to set up upholstery business back in 2001; even though the taxi business was sufficient, it was not what they really wanted. In 2004, they opened their Upholstery Shop, as they felt this was their true calling from God insofar as a business was concerned; both for their family’s welfare and to serve the people of Samoa.

Sila and Sufali currently serve the people of Samoa through their business, not only furnishing people’s homes, churches, office buildings, cars and public transport vehicles. They are also finishing off an accommodation project next door to their upholstery business at Fugalei; things are really looking up for Taefu Lupematasila Vaa and his wife Sufali.
 

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