NEWSPAGE 27 January
2010

(Photos: Sounds Aotearoa)

NEW ZEALAND: Sounds Aotearoa showcases New Zealand talent

(Photo: U.S. Department of Defence)

SAMOA: PM's speech at the opening ceremony of the Court House at Mulinuu
Source: Government Press Secretariat Press Release

Reverend
Your Highness the Head of State
His Excellency Mr Chen Changzhi and the delegation from the National People’s Congress of China
Honourable Ministers of Cabinet
Your Honour the Chief Justice and members of the Judiciary
Hon Speaker and Members of Parliament
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Heads of Religions Denominations
Representations of the Business Community
Heads of Government Organisations
Distinguish Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Firstly, I wish on behalf of His Highness the Head of State and the Government of Samoa to express our gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their ready acceptance of our government’s request to assist Samoa with this very important infrastructure project for our country.

I would like to acknowledge and thank His Excellency Mr Chen Changzhi and the delegation of China’s National People’s Congress for coming all the way from Beijing to join us in this ceremony to officially dedicate the new Court House building.

I wish also to record our appreciation to China’s Ambassador to Samoa, His Excellency Mr Ma Chongren and his office for their key responsibility in coordinating the project from the beginning until its successful completion we celebrate today.

I acknowledge with thanks the presence of the Vice President of the China Eximbank and his delegation and also the representatives of the Tianjin Construction Company for the pivotal roles of their organisations in the financing and construction of the Court House.

I would ask Mr Chen Changzhi and Ambassador Ma Chongren to please convey to His Excellency President, Hu Jintao and also to His Excellency Premier Wen Jiabao to whom I personally mentioned this project our sincere gratitude for this new milestone in the relations between Samoa and China.

To complete my vote of thanks, I would like to thank the Honourable Minister of Justice and his Ministry, the Chief Justice and the Judiciary, the government agencies and private sector businesses that provided Samoa’s contribution to the construction of the project. Thank you to all of you who made the project possible.

This new Court House brings together in one location the various parts of our central Courts system and makes available the much needed opportunity for greater efficiency in the management and administration of the work of the Supreme Court, the District Court and the Lands and Titles Court.
The important objective or key outcome that the Courts would now be able to aim for with this new building is to ensure the efficient processing of cases and the delivery of court decisions.

For over a hundred years from the time of the German administration, the wooden buildings housing our courts always presented a very high fire risk and the attendance nightmare scenario of irreplaceable records going up in smoke and lost forever.

In seeking the assistance of the Government of China for this project, amongst the important requirements for the new building to provide were: a substantially reduced fire risk, a much safer working environment for the courts officers and, a more secure storage for important court documents.

This new Court House built with “bricks, mortar and steel” achieves these important requirements in very large measure.

To end my remarks, I thank His Highness the Head of State, our Guests from the People’s Republic of China, Members of Diplomatic Corp and all the dignitaries of the Church, the Government and our country for your presence to witness the opening ceremony of the new Court House.

Thank you.

Soifua.

Photo Caption: Samoan Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.
 

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega commends CBS on 60 Minutes football feature
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has commended the CBS 60 Minutes program for its special feature called “American Samoa—Football Island.” In a statement delivered during the Special Order proceedings of the House, Congressman Faleomavaega expounded on some of the challenges facing football programs in American Samoa.

“The CBS program highlighted that from an island of less than 70,000 people, there are more than 30 players of Samoan ancestry currently playing professional football in the National Football League and estimated more than 200 playing currently in Division I college football, “ Faleomavaega said.

“Indeed, it is estimated that a boy born to Samoan parents is 56 times more likely to get into the NFL than any other kid in the United States, period. This is an exceptional bit of information considering that the six high school programs in the Territory do not have locker rooms, no weight rooms for training, no proper equipment or other needed facilities and resources. In addition, most of these kids in American Samoa do not start playing organized football until they're in high school.”

“For the first time this year, we have organized a Pop Warner football program. What is interesting about this is that a good number of these young Pop Warner players would be disqualified if they were playing in the U.S. for the simple reason that they were too big. I know this is true in the State of Hawaii where, in the Pop Warner program, many of these young Samoan football players had to organize their own “Big Boys” football program because they would be disqualified to play Pop Warner. I know this is true in the little towns of Hauula and Laie in the State of Hawaii.”

“The fact that the Samoans have a high success rate of getting into the NFL is most interesting and can be attributed not only to the size of the people but to the values of our Samoan culture. From respect to discipline, one can appreciate that the young men and women of Samoan descent hold true these values with humility. I know that these are values welcomed by any coach in any sport.”

“I want to acknowledge and recognize the Polynesian players who were fortunate to make it to this year's NFL Conference Championships. They were, with the Indianapolis Colts, Aaron Francisco and Fili Moala; with the New York Jets, Ropati Pitoitua, Sione Pouha and Wayne Hunter; and with the Minnesota Vikings, Naufahu Tahi. I want to personally congratulate them and their families for their success.”

“The success of this new generation of football players is a result of the pathway paved by pioneers like Samoan football player Al Lolotai, who played for the Washington Redskins in 1945, Charley Ane of the Detroit Lions in 1953, Jack ``The Throwin' Samoan'' Thompson, Manu and his son Marques Tuiasosopo, Dan Saleaumua, Wilson Faumuina, Frank and his son Brandon Manumaleuna, Jesse Sapolu, Junior Seau, Troy Polamalu, Mosi and his son Lofa Tatupu, Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga, Jonathan Fanene, Joe Salave`a, Pita Elisara, Esera Tuaolo, Falaniko and his brother Al Noga, Junior Ah You, and many others.”

“I am often asked why Samoan men have so much success on the football field. While there are many factors, I am reminded of the late Green Bay Packers’ Coach Vince Lombardi when he said that ‘football is like life. It requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority.’ This is very much part of the heart and soul of the Samoan culture which centers on the importance of families, sharing each other's needs, and respect for others,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

FIJI: Forum Secretariat launches upgraded website
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat this week launched its upgraded website www.forumsec.org in line with its new corporate structure and renewed regional priorities.

In launching the site, Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade, said the Secretariat’s website plays an important role as the public interface of the organisation and main information disseminating platform for the public affairs unit and other departments.

“The Secretariat caters to a vast range of external audiences and stakeholders in executing the work of its diverse work programmes,” explained Mr Slade. “The timely and accurate dissemination of information to these stakeholders is vital to the successful implementation of our work. Our website remains a key tool in carrying out this important communication.”

Mr Slade added that the Secretariat's 2008-2012 Corporate Plan, among other things, outlines a revised corporate structure for the organisation and renewed regional work priorities. With resultant changes across the Secretariat's work programmes, an exercise to restructure the website to accurately reflect these changes was required.

The new site features an updated information design, enhanced search engine, calendar of events and greater content flexibility. A refined Content Management System has been installed and further flexibility for website subscribers to sign up for news, events and employment notifications.

The upgrade was carried out by Oceanic Communications, a Fiji-based advertising, marketing and new media agency.

For more information on the website, please contact the Forum Secretariat’s Communications Officer, Mue Bentley Fisher via email: [email protected] or mobile: +679 9998677.
 

(Photo: Assembly of French Polynesia)

TAHITI: Temaru suggests controversial scheme to reduce unemployment
Source: Daily Mail

The French paradise island of Tahiti could be set to legalise cannabis - so that jobless youngsters can earn money selling it to tourists.

The controversial scheme is aimed at reducing soaring unemployment in France's overseas territory of French Polynesia.

Former president Oscar Temaru said offering the drug to European holidaymakers could create jobs and bring in tens of millions of pounds a year in revenue.

Tahiti is the main island in the South Pacific island group, whose foreign affairs, defence and legal system are all governed from Paris.

But the island's lawmakers do have the power to change drug legislation without the permission of the French government.

French Polynesia attracts around 190,000 tourists a year, including an estimated 10,000 from Britain.

Mr Temaru said: 'Foreigners often arrive at out hotels and ask for cannabis.

'We know there there are countries in Europe that have legalised it, like Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.

'So doing the same thing here could be a way of creating jobs for young people, by allowing them to sell it to foreigners,' he told the local TNTV television station.

Cannabis plants thrive in French Polynesia's balmy tropical climate, where the drug is known locally as pakalolo.

Mr Temaru, who has been president three times in the past four years, said he is drafting a bill to put before the territory's MPs later this year.

Police said they seize around 80 million pounds worth of the drug every year, but believe that only represents a 'small fraction' of the true size of the cannabis black market.

Photo Caption: Former Tahitian President Oscar Temaru.
 

(Photo: Pacific Leprosy Foundation)

WORLDWIDE: Leprosy still a problem in NZ and the Pacific
Source: Pacific Leprosy Foundation Press Release via Pacific Scoop

Social attitudes, rather than a lack of medicine, are the major reason leprosy continues to be a problem in the Pacific Islands and to a lesser extent in New Zealand according to Jill Tomlinson, General Manager of the Pacific Leprosy Foundation in Christchurch.

World Leprosy Day is being held on 31 January 2010 to raise awareness of the disease. Past policies of segregation and isolation designed to prevent the spread of the disease made leprosy a disease out-of-sight and out-of-mind. As a consequence many people believe leprosy no longer exists. Unfortunately it certainly does— every week new cases are diagnosed in New Zealand and the Pacific.

People with leprosy tend to keep a low profile because of the stigma associated with the disease. They are often reluctant to seek medical treatment and instead hide the first tell tale signs of leprosy-strange pale patches on their skin.

“Because of this stigma associated with leprosy, patients are reluctant to seek medical help. Even when they have the disease diagnosed they hide the fact. Reimbursing medical costs using cheques is difficult for the Foundation as some patients won’t even bank our cheques because they have the word leprosy on them,” says Jill.

Leprosy can be cured with Multiple Drug Therapy but treatment needs to start as soon as the symptoms appear. If treatment is delayed, leprosy can cause nerve damage and permanent disability and disfigurement.

“There is still a lot of public confusion and mystery about leprosy which is why sufferers are often in denial. Even if they realise they can be cured they don’t want to admit they have the disease because they know they may be shunned by their families, friends and community. The stigma is so acute sufferers never speak the word leprosy aloud. Instead it is referred to as ‘the sickness’.” (see Katalina’s story below)

With the help of public donations and bequests, the Pacific Leprosy Foundation works to eradicate leprosy and care for patients and their families. It also educates the community about leprosy so the stigma is diminished through understanding.
“With many health workers being removed from leprosy programmes to work with TB and other communicable diseases, there is a real danger leprosy will increase in the same way that TB has. We work to support and train health workers and provide them with the necessary resources to diagnose and treat leprosy,” says Jill.

Rehabilitation and welfare is also a strong focus.

“People suffering from and disabled by leprosy and their families are a low priority for governments with limited resources. We fund rehabilitation and welfare work throughout the Pacific and provide money for medical treatment and clothing to protect hands and feet which have no feeling due to nerve damage.”

Patients are encouraged to provide for themselves and their families. Funds are provided for income generating projects such as livestock improvement, growing crops and making crafts to be sold in the markets. The Foundation also provides funds for housing, housing improvements and the education of the children of leprosy sufferers.

Katalina’s Experience of Leprosy

Katalina arrived at Auckland A & E with severe burns to one hand. She claimed not to be in pain, but was reluctant to answer the doctors’ questions. Her whole demeanour showed fear and shame; her head was lowered and her eyes turned away.

Gradually the kindness of the doctors and nurses broke through her reserve and she began to tell her story. She had been lucky, she said, to be able to move from her Pacific Island home to live in New Zealand a few years ago. She and her family had settled down and she was able to get a good job to help her parents out with the bills. She had been very proud of what they had achieved.

Not long after this she noticed some strange patches on her skin - they were lighter than the rest of her skin, and when she touched them they had no sensation. She knew it was ‘the sickness’ - the disease so terrible that its name, leprosy, is never spoken aloud. She had seen other people from her village back home who had suffered from the sickness and been shunned by their friends, even though they had been given medicine which had cured the disease. She could see all the wonderful things in her new life in New Zealand disappearing before her eyes - she was afraid that she would lose her job, her new friends and bring shame to her family.

Her leprosy gradually became more noticeable on her arms and legs and she was careful to always wear long sleeves and pants. Gradually she developed a tingling in her hands and feet, which soon became totally numb. It was as a result of this numbness that she had burned her hand on the stove - she hadn’t realised that it was hot.

The doctors treated her burns, and she was prescribed Multiple Drug Therapy for her leprosy. She had to take the pills for a year and over that time her skin gradually returned to normal. But it was too late to do anything about the damage to the nerves in her hands and feet. That was permanent and could never be reversed. The doctors weren’t able to save all her burnt fingers and she was no longer able to do her work. In the future she might suffer from clawing of her hands, dropped foot or difficulty in closing her eyes. Luckily, all of those problems can be helped with simple surgical procedures.

It was Katalina’s fear of the stigma of leprosy which prevented her from seeking medical help. If she had, then the disease would not have progressed to the point where she had nerve damage, and subsequent disability.

There has been an effective cure for leprosy since the introduction of Multiple Drug Therapy (MDT) in the 1980s. Although the disease is curable, sometimes the effects of the disease cannot be reversed. The sooner the disease is diagnosed and treated the lower the chance of nerve damage occurring.

Many people believe that leprosy no longer exists, yet every three minutes, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with leprosy. It is vital that awareness of and knowledge about the disease is retained if we are to win the war against leprosy.

About World Leprosy Day

World Leprosy Day is held on the last Sunday of every January. It is organised by the World Health Organisation is promote awareness of leprosy. The theme for 2010 World Leprosy Day is the stigma associated with leprosy. For further information www.ilep.org.uk
About the Pacific Leprosy Foundation

Based in Christchurch, the Pacific Leprosy Foundation is a not-for-profit, non-governmental non-religious organisation working towards the elimination and mitigation of the effects of leprosy in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Indonesia, Viet-Nam and New Zealand. The Foundation does not receive any government funding and relies on public bequests and donations to continue its work.

The Foundation was formed by Patrick Twomey, a Christchurch man who taught in Fiji for a short while in the 1920s. Patrick was disturbed by the plight of people with leprosy as there was no cure for the disease back then. When he returned to New Zealand he took up the cause of the leprosy patients on Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbour. When this was closed in 1925 the patients were transferred to Makogai in Fiji where they joined a much larger group of around 750 leprosy sufferers from around the South Pacific. It was obvious that to achieve anything worthwhile for this group would require expanded appeal efforts in New Zealand.

Patrick dedicated himself to the cause and it wasn’t long before he became known as the ‘Leper Man’. He wrote appeal letters directly to prospective benefactors in Christchurch, then around Canterbury and finally, with the support of others, all across New Zealand. The time had come to establish a more formal organisation and the Makogai NZ Lepers’ Trust Board, the forerunner of the Pacific Leprosy Foundation, was set up in 1939.

For further information visit: www.leprosy.org.nz

About Leprosy

Leprosy is one of mankind’s most ancient scourges, mentioned in writing from ancient India to the Bible to the Middle Ages.

Leprosy is caused by a bacteria (M. leprae ) that attacks and damages the nerves under the skin which can result in paralysis, the loss of sensations, degeneration of muscles and bone, leading to highly visible progressive debilities.

Leprosy is contagious. It is spread by droplet infection (coughs and sneezes) but, unlike a cold, is difficult to catch.

The long incubation period of leprosy (a few months up to 20 or even 50 years), together with the varied symptoms associated with different forms of the disease, have historically made diagnosis exceedingly difficult.

There has been an effective cure for leprosy since the introduction of Multiple Drug Therapy (MDT) in the 1980s.

As a consequence of nerve damage in the limbs, unfelt injuries especially to the hands and feet lead to severe physical disabilities aggravated by accidental injuries and repetitive actions in everyday life.

M. leprae attack the nerves in cooler areas of the body which are, in the main, the peripheral nerves close to the surface of the skin. This gives rise to visible patches and rashes on the skin, flattening of facial features, visual problems and loss of facial hair.

Fingers and toes are most easily damaged and the loss of these digits is a notorious sign of leprosy. The simple repetitious action of walking with anaesthetized nerves in the feet lead to the later chronic problem of plantar ulcers on the soles. These are extremely difficult to cure and frequently lead to complications that result in amputations.

Disabilities can occur long after the disease has been arrested either naturally or by medical treatment, because the nerves cannot recover. For this reason early diagnosis of leprosy and treatment are imperative to prevent nerve damage which may lead to later severe physical disabilities.