NEWSPAGE 29 January
2010

(Photos: Boxing Heaven / Duco Events)

NEW ZEALAND: Tua shapes up for Woodstock Fight Night

SAMOA: MOH moves to tackle alarming obesity problem
Source: Xinhua News Agency

Statistics about obesity in the Pacific island nation of Samoa were alarming and the Ministry of Health was moving to tackle the problem.

According to a survey done in 2002, some 85.2 percent of the population is obese.

Christine Quested, Principal Nutritionist with the Ministry of Health (MOH), said the survey of chronic disease was most relevant to date, the Samoa Observer reported on Thursday.

The survey showed 81.1 percent of men were obese or overweight and 89.8 percent of women were obese or overweight. It means two out of three women between 25-64 years were obese or overweight.

Only 9.9 percent of females fit the normal weight category and 18.7 percent of men.

The survey showed none of the population is underweight.

Quested said health officials were working on ways to lower the percentage of obese and overweight among the population

A big part of the effort is the national Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) Policy, which is being finalized.

Late last year, MOH facilitated the establishment of the Parliamentary Health Advocacy Group. They target health issues, such as obesity.

MOH has also founded numerous programs which address diet and exercise habits.
 

(Photos: Riamoana Pasifika)

AUSTRALIA: Rugby League and Netball sign on at the Family Club
Source: Riamoana Pasifika Press Release

Norths St Joseph's has their sign on for 2010 Rugby League and Netball season Sunday 31st January and Sunday 7th February at 'Joeys' grounds, Wellington Street, Virginia. Families are encouraged to bring their children from 9am to midday to the grounds on these days, to get to know the club and members. The club has great incentives and activities planned for players and families throughout the year. One of the highlights for this new season is that past players like Blair Connor (Qld Reds) and Rohan Ahern (Broncos) and others will be invited to be more involved in the sport by spending time with future superstars in the club and share their experiences and techniques with young members.

'This is a real family orientated club and we encourage involvement of parents and the whole family," explains President of the club, Brendan Ryan. Rugby League teams start from age 9 and over and the Netball teams begin from age 5 and over.

Past players who started quite young with Joey's are, Rohan Ahern and Blair Connor. Ahern started with the club at age 4. At his current age of 21 he has proven that having fun and building great game skills is a great place to start young with a club that understands the importance of family involvement and players enjoying the sport they choose. Ahern is a former player for Sydney Roosters and currently has just signed up to play with the Broncos. "I remember at a young age i couldn't wait to finish school at 3pm so I can train for footy at the club, we used to get prizes like 'a bottle of coke and hot chips' for 'man of the match', said Ahern.

Qld Reds player Blair Connor also 21 years old started at a young age with the club " St Joey's is a big family club, it was almost like a second home to me, I always felt accepted and welcomed by everyone. I would encourage anyone to have a go because not only is North's St Josephs a great place to begin a career in the sport but there are plenty of opportunities to have fun, learn great skills and make some great friends. When asked what his advice was for anyone wanting to succeed in the sport, Connor said "Success comes to those who work hard."

Queensland Rugby Union Samoan Association President, Vagana Pili Vagana and members, who are also members of North's St Josephs, will also be present on the day to assist in the sign up for this year.

According to North's St Josephs President and owner of Rhino Finance, Brendan Ryan, "this is a Family Club, we have a committee that works very hard to make sure that members of our club get the best. We pride ourselves as having a strong focus on family and we continue to promote this by putting on activities that involves not only the players but also their families. Everyone and anyone is always welcome at North's St Josephs continues the president.

For more information contact: Brett Gallagher 0401214190.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Blair Connor (Qld Reds) Rohan Ahern (Broncos).

Photo 2 - Vagana Pi Vagana, Blair Connor, Rohan Ahern, Brendan Ryan, Malavai Tony Sinapati, Kosema Fuiono.
 

(Photo: Guam Visitors Bureau)

USA: GVB brings "Hafa Adai Guam USA!" to Philippine shoppers
Source: Guam Visitors Bureau Press Release

Shoppers in Manila will get a chance to experience a taste of Guam’s culture and beauty for the next month through a special partnership between Guam Visitors Bureau and SM Group of Companies.

The two entities have teamed up for a month-long promotion of the island at SM Superstore, SM Podium, SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. An exhibit showcasing the cultural uniqueness and ease of travel between Guam and the Philippines launched at SM Superstore on Jan. 21, 2010.

The exhibit will travel to a different mall each week, not only encouraging travellers to visit Guam on their next vacation, but giving five lucky shoppers a chance to do it for free.

Mall patrons who submit single or accumulated purchase receipts totalling one thousand pesos (about $20) between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20, 2010, will be entered to win a trip for two to Guam via Philippine Airlines. A hotel stay at the renowned Hilton Guam Resort and Spa will be included.

The final exhibit at SM Mall of Asia is scheduled to coincide with the Philippine Travel Agency Association (PTAA) Travel Tour Expo 2010, an annual tourism showcase featuring the best in destinations, hotels, restaurants and other allied industries. Potential travellers who book vacations during the show often get discounted deals, which garners much attention for the event.

SM Mall of Asia will host a finale, complete with the grand prize raffle drawing for the vacation. Cultural entertainers from Guam will perform at the finale, as well as each morning at afternoon leading up to it starting Feb. 18.

In 2009, Guam Visitors Bureau was awarded Best in Performance and 1st Place Best in Marketing Effort International Pavilion at the PTAA Travel Tour Expo.

Photo Caption: GVB Philippines celebrates the opening of “Hafa Adai Guam USA!” with representatives from SM Superstore. From left, Al Quin M. Tattao, GVB Philippines marketing officer; Bryan Blaiv V. Tayag, GVB Philippines account manager; Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls VP of advertising and promotions; Michelle Narvaez, Philippine Airlines product manager for Transpacific, Canada and Guam; Dingdong Avanzado, GVB Philippines vice president; Engr. Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls assistant vice president of operations; and Herbie DelaPaz Arabelo, GVB Philippines president participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Vanuatu sends record number of scouts to Jamboree
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Scouting in Vanuatu hit a note early this year when a record number of 60 scouts, and scout leaders attended a major event in scouting, the Australian Scout Jamboree.

Chief Scout Commissioner, Kalmer Vocor told Daily Post upon the group’s return last week that in the past only 3 to 6 scouts attended the event and the increase only portrayed the current status of the Vanuatu Scout which is more organised than the past.

Representing scout groups from all the provinces except Tafea, the Vanuatu delegation was made up of 28 scout leaders, and 10 ventures.

The group joined other scouts from Australia and the Pacific for the event Catteract Park in Sydney.

“The advantage of the event was it prepared youths to be better citizens and to advance scouts with new skills, and ideas to take back home,” said Mr Vocor.

Meanwhile the 28 Vanuatu scouts leaders representing different scout groups from around the country including the Scout Commissioner and the Vanuatu Scout National Executive Chairman, Abel Nako were also fortunate to attend Leaders trainings before the Jamboree.

The Vanuatu Scout leaders attended a 3-day level 3 basic leaders training.

Photo Caption: Vanuatu Scout Leaders with certificates after training.
 

(Photo: Reama Biumaiono / United Nations Development Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Lena's story as she struggles to meet the rise in the cost of living
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

Lena is a thirty four (34) year old woman who is struggling to make ends meet with her three children, 15 year old Jessica, 13 year old Mary and 9 year old Sammy. Living on the outskirts of Honiara, in Solomon Islands, Lena has been the sole bread winner in her family after her husband left her for another woman.

“It has been seven years since my husband left me to live with his de-facto wife. Ever since he left he has not supported me or the children in any way and gives nothing to support their welfare and education,” Lena says with a shaking voice.

Her only source of income is the vegetables that she plants in her village and sells at the market place.

“I plant watermelon, cabbage, kumala and cassava and I sell this produce at the market on a weekly basis. The money that I earn from here is used on my children’s education needs and also for our day to day survival,” she says.

The impact of the global economic crisis may still not have been fully felt in the Pacific. Life could get a lot harder for Lena and hundreds of others like her who sell produce at the market in order to meet their daily needs. Women who are most often tasked with selling produce may find it even more difficult to get their products to market. Likewise, there may not be enough buyers because those working in the formal sector, such as teachers and health workers, may not have an increase to their salary to help them afford the rise in the cost of goods and services.

Lena remembers rather fondly, when her husband used to support them and how she used to have to rely on him mostly to look after the expenses in their household.

“I pay for everything now at home. From the water and electricity bill, to taking my kids to either the general and private doctors on some occasions and even to sending my children to school.”

She says that with school now approaching, she has had to budget for Solomon Islands $1000.00 (US$126) for her two older girls and $400.00 (US$50) for her son.

“My older daughter’s skirt for her school uniform alone costs $115.00 (US$15) and the top costs $100.00 (US$12). That alone is every expensive for me. Added to this, I have to also provide bags, shoes and stationary items for all my three children. Then the prices of goods from the shops are now becoming so expensive too. It is not like before when things were cheaper to buy, especially like kerosene and basic food stuff like sugar, rice and flour,” Lena says.

Governments of the Pacific need to take heed of the challenges facing Lena and many other women, and ensure that there are sound social protection policies to cushion the effects of the crisis.

The Prime Minister for Solomon Islands, Hon Derek Sikua in an interview with Radio Australia said: “The global economic recession is affecting as you know all forum island countries including Solomon Islands and we are experiencing lower economic growth, a bleaker macro economic outlook and falling government revenues as well as increased poverty amongst our people.”

“In terms of how my Government is responding to the economic crisis is that we have cut down on our expenditures substantially by implementing a 35 percent reservation across all expenditure other than the payroll and essential services, like education and health. There is also a freeze in our public service recruitments, a reprioritizing of capital projects in the development budget where we are hoping to try and save around 100 million Solomon dollars as well as looking at introducing new revenue measures, especially on taxes to do with alcohol and tobacco.”

Lena also volunteers her time to helping an organization that empowers women so they can contribute to national development. She hopes that one day she will be able to get out of this situation and be able to afford a decent life for her and her three children.

How to protect the most vulnerable is one of the many reasons why the Pacific Conference on the Human Face of the Global Economic is being organized for over 200 delegates representatives from Government, civil society, private sector and youths in Port Vila, Vanuatu on February 10-12, 2010.

The three day conference will focus on three broad themes: addressing hardships faced by women, children and other vulnerable groups; finding ways to enable Pacific governments to respond in creative and sustainable ways to the crisis; and promoting green growth and social safety nets. The Outcomes from this Conference will be presented to the Pacific Leaders Forum meeting later this year.

Photo Caption: Women selling the rootcrop ‘kumala’ at the Honiara market, Solomon Islands.