NEWSPAGE 06 April
2011

(Photos: Westfield Style Pasifika)

NEW ZEALAND: Rugby and fashion fuse in best of Pasifika

(Photo: Samoa Tourism Authority)

SAMOA: Samoa Tourism Authority updates
Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Press Release

Special Competition for Apia-Faleolo route

The Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi has announced a new Beautification Competition specifically for the villages along the Apia to Faleolo Airport route.

“This route is the most commonly used at one time or another by all visitors to Samoa.”

Speaking at the Official Prize Giving for the National Beautification 2010 Competition, the Hon. Prime Minister reiterated that this particular route is the very first part of the country that is able to visually portray Samoa’s paradise feat.

“It is this route that the tourists see first upon any travel into Samoa and the beauty portrayed along this scenic drive from the airport to the capital that captivates the tourist making them want to return to our shores.”

With this in mind, the Hon. Prime Minister has decided that the villages along this particular road must therefore continue to be encouraged to maintain their village cleanliness through a special beautification competition which will go hand in hand with the Village Beautification Competition already put in place by the Samoa Tourism Authority’s National Beautification Committee for the rest of the nation.

The villages which are used as role models for ‘beautiful clean villages’ are the likes of Falelatai and Vaisaulu which won first place awards for ‘most beautiful villages’ in the 2010 Beautification Competition as was announced earlier this week.

While there is the financial incentive through the newly established Apia-Faleolo Competition, the Prime Minister has strongly emphasized that “pride in one’s own land, village and nation should be the motivating factor”.

Registration for this Beautification Competition started last Tuesday and all the villages which make up the Apia-Faleolo route are encouraged to register for FREE.


107 Graduate at APTC

107 individuals graduated from the Australia Pacific Technical College on Tuesday 29th March 2011. The National University of Samoa which works in collaboration with APTC highlighted that of the 107 graduates, 14 of the 15 Hospitality III graduates are Samoan.

Also highlighted by NUS is the fact that 7 of the Hospitality graduates were actually from businesses in the tsunami affected area along the south coast. These students studied at Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa and Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa.

The APTC Programme provides qualifications for students from around the Pacific in areas of such as Welding, Automotive, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing, Tourism, Cooking, Children’s Services, Community Services and Patisserie to name a few.


Samoa Celebrates World Water Day

Samoa joined the rest of the world on Tuesday 29th March 2011 in celebrating the World Water Day.

Through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Samoa Water Authority, the nation commemorated the Event, focusing on the national theme of ‘Working together for Water Management in Samoa’s urban community’.

The day’s programme included awareness campaigns from media utilization to school visits and discussions; educational water treatment plants site inspections; and a River Clean Up Campaign.
 

(Photos: Australia-Pacific Technical College)

AUSTRALIA: Early Childhood specialist teaching at APTC Suva campus
Source: Australia-Pacific Technical College

Based at the APTC Gordon Street facility in Suva, Ms Kerry Kirk, who arrived in Fiji in February 2011, is conducting the first APTC course in Certificate III, Children's Services to be taught in Suva.

The Early Childhood Education specialist holds an Early Childhood Education Degree and a Masters degree in Adult Education &Learning, and brings extensive experience to this teaching role. Kerry has worked as a TAFE teacher for 11 years and has held senior management positions within the TAFE sector.

"Returning to work as a trainer is an exciting opportunity for me in terms of my personal growth as well as the opportunity to re-assess my teaching methodologies," explained Ms Kirk. "I am enjoying working with this group of students who have traveled great distances to attend the course."

Joining students from Fiji's outer islands are students from Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

"The students have very positive attitudes to learning and are very receptive. They are enjoying the experiential focus of their lessons, where they can reinforce theory with practical experience," remarked Ms Kirk.

Ms Kirk said that she and the students appreciated the support given by the Suva early childhood community in providing practical work placements at local pre-schools and kindergartens.

"The students are investigating ways in which they can gain support for good practice in their home communities as they already know the value of being advocates for early childhood education," concluded Ms Kirk.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Learning by doing: Trainer Kerry Kirk (second from right) and her students
put theory into practice.

Photo 2 - Cooperative collage: Children's Services students build together.

(Photos: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega)

USA: Faleomavaega congratulates Gallaudet University's Easter Fa’afiti
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has announced that he recently hosted Miss Easter Fa’afiti and members of the Gallaudet University Women’s Basketball Program, congratulating Easter and her team for a record-breaking season. After a luncheon in the Members Only dining facilities, Easter and members of her group that included Co-Captain and Center Nukeitra Hayes, Head Coach Kevin Cook, Team Interpreter Chris Bahl, and public affairs staff for the Gallaudet Bison, were treated to a tour of the U.S. Capitol.

During their visit in the office, Faleomavaega presented Easter and Miss Hayes each with a gift bag of Congressional memorabilia. Easter presented the Congressman with a team sweater bearing the Bison insignia.

The 2010-11 Season was a memorable one for the Gallaudet Bison. In their first season in the National Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), the Bison began the season with 20 consecutive wins - the longest such streak in the program’s existence - including a win over No. 17 Lebanon Valley College. It was the first time in 12 years they defeated a nationally ranked team. They took the league by storm, finishing 20-2 in the conference and earning a share of the regular season championship with Keuka College. Finishing 24-4 overall, it was only the second time in the program’s 115-year history that a team reached the 24-win plateau. Though they fell to Keuka in the NEAC tournament, the Bison earned one of 20 at-large bids to the NCAA Division III tournament, marking their third-ever trip in program history.

Easter, who plays forward and center, set a high mark during her first season at Gallaudet when she earned over 12 different awards including two different All-American team awards. Described by her coaches as ‘the heart of this year’s basketball team,’ Easter earned additional numerous awards through her spirited and dominating play during the 2010-11 season, during which she averaged 20.5 points per game. Along with being named the NEAC Player of the Year and first-team selection, Easter also received the honors of Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III South Region Player of the Year and first-team honoree, D3Hoops.com All-American Honorable Mention, and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American Honorable Mention.

Before transferring to Gallaudet, Easter was a power forward at Pittsburg High School in Northern California and a two-time all-state selection at Pasadena Community College. Easter has achieved such a high level of success in her sport despite being hearing-impaired in both ears. She uses hearing aids and applies her great court vision in the game. Gallaudet University is the world's only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students. Based in Washington, D.C., the university was founded in 1864 by an Act of Congress, and its charter was signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Easter is the daughter of Tony Fa’afiti and Christine Tauaese-Fa’afiti, who currently reside in Pittsburgh, California. Her paternal grandparents are Saka Fa’afiti of Taputimu and Mafaufauga Malau’ulu of Nu’uuli. Her maternal grandparents are Tauaese Tiumalu of Fagatogo and Telesia Mageo of Pago Pago.

“I would like to again extend my congratulations to Easter for being a shining example for our Samoan youth in the U.S. and in American Samoa. Easter’s athletic and academic accomplishments throughout high school, community college, and now at the university-level, are truly remarkable,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.

“I also congratulate the entire Gallaudet Women’s Basketball program, including Co-Captain Nukeitra Hayes and Coach Kevin Cook and his staff, for their extraordinary achievement in this past season. Last but not least, I also especially commend Easter’s parents, Tony and Christine, and all of her family members who have played a vital support role in her academic and athletic endeavors. I pray for her continued success and wish her all the best in her future,” the Congressman concluded.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Congressman Faleomavaega and Easter Fa’afiti.

Photo 2 - Faleomavaega accepting a gift from Easter Fa’afiti.

Photo 3 - After accepting gifts from the Congressman, Easter and teammate Nukeitra Hayes and Coach Kevin Cook posed for a photo with Faleomavaega.

Photo 4 - At the completion of their tour, Easter and her group posed for a last photo with Congressman Faleomavaega on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Mamau primary school strives to provide education
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Tucked away in the bushes of Teouma, east Efate, is a newly opened primary school - one that’s never been heard of before.

Mamau Primary School by all counts, is probably the fastest growing school in Vanuatu to date in terms of enrolment and infrastructure.

It opened its doors in the second half of 2010 with no more than 20 students and one teacher. Today, Mamau Primary School boasts 133 pupils with five teachers. And the list of enrolment is still growing, according to Joel Toa, the driving force behind this education development.

In 2009, Toa and a group of men were conducting Bible Studies with a few families that reside in this vast area of Teouma. In the course of the studies and from conversations with parents and children, it occurred to him that illiteracy is prevalent in this settlement.

“We found out that the kids didn’t know how to read, underline a word let alone draw a circle,” Toa recalled the day he met up with the children.
“There are 4,000 people up there with no social services.”

The idea of establishing a school to cater for the needs of these children sprung up. Within months, a teacher was hand picked, paid a monthly salary of Vt3,000 and cramped her pupils into a thatched-roof building with no desks. Teaching and learning begun.

It was the second half of 2010 and Mamau Primary School was still accepting enrolment. Funny, it may seem. But this is reality. The school closed a half-year academic life with more than 57 students.

Subsistence farmers from Teouma feed Mamau Primary School with pupils. A classic example of service delivery, Teouma farmers can now send their children to learn at their door steps. They would otherwise not have been able to send them to schools in town because the cost would be exorbitant. This is a win-win situation.

With much promotion, the school received well-respected visitors and dignitaries nationally and from abroad. It won the hearts of Seventh-Day Adventists as well as education authorities. Learning materials are donated from all quarters of life.

A certain group of Eratap Villagers worked throughout one night last year and furnished the two community-funded and built classrooms with table and chairs.

Au Bon Marche Supermarket also donated Vt100,000 which funds were used to build the teacher’s house at the school’s compound.
The Australian Government through its diplomatic mission in Port Vila, contributed Vt839,000 to compliment funds from parents towards a double stream classroom.

Last week, Hon. Prime Minister Meltek Sato Kilman Livtuvanu presented a cheque of Vt1 million to Mamau Primary School and promised additional funds to bring the total contribution to Vt2 million.

“The government’s support reflects its policy direction to increase accessibility and promote quality education for all,” said an officer from the Office of the Prime Minister.
“This is in line with Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Vanuatu’s MDG report in 2010 shows the country is doing well in this regard and is on track to meet its target by 2015.”

The Government’s contribution comes from Community Development Funds (CDF) administered by PM’s office.

“The purpose of the CDF is to assist the Prime Minister to respond to some of the petty community requests that come from other constituencies,” explained the officer.

Three classrooms will be built in the first half of this year to compliment the double stream thatched-roof classroom the school now has and to replace the two temporary shelters now used as classrooms.

The school’s biggest challenge now is to attract qualified teachers and to give the current teaching staff a pay hike (from the monthly pay of Vt3,000) to boost their morals and to reward their patience in a time when they are needed most.

Arrangements are underway to have Mamau Primary School registered with the education authority of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Vanuatu.

Photo Caption: Students at the Mamau School.
 

(Photos: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat)

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Environment Community Fund reports steady progress
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Work is progressing steadily towards disbursing 6.8 billion yen (approx. US$66 million) to the region under the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund.

The PEC Fund is a commitment by the Government of Japan to support Forum Island Country (FIC) projects with a focus on the provision of solar power generation systems and sea water desalination plants, or a combination of both.

Positive progress was reported by the PEC Fund Joint Committee which met last week at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji.

The Joint Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Secretary General of Forum Secretariat, comprises senior representatives from the Forum Secretariat and Government of Japan, and provides oversight on the implementation of the PEC Fund initiative.

The Forum Secretariat is responsible for managing the PEC Fund via a PEC Fund Project Management Unit.

“I am very pleased to report that the PEC Fund Project Management Unit has progressed significantly in the implementation of the PEC Fund Guidelines and PEC Fund Project Procedures,” said the Forum Secretariat Acting Secretary General, Mr Feleti Teo.

“FICs have also responded positively to the call for the preparation and submission of concept notes to access the PEC Fund.”

The Forum Secretariat has now received concept notes from 12 of the 14 countries eligible to access the PEC Fund, Mr Teo explained.

“Many of these countries have now progressed to developing their detailed project proposals, and we look forward to announcing the first of the PEC Fund projects soon.”

Each FIC has been allocated an indicative amount of US$4 million under the PEC Fund to be spent on projects within two years.

Access to individual country allocations is undertaken in a two phase process. Phase one involves submission of project Concept Notes from FICs to the Forum Secretariat. Once appraised by the PEC Project Management Unit and a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and if the outcome is positive, the FIC is then invited to progress to phase two which involves the development of a detailed project proposal for consideration and final approval by the PEC Fund Joint Committee.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - PEC Fund JC members (L-R) Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, HE Yutaka Yoshizawa, Director PIF Pacific Islands Centre (Japan), Mr. Kanichiro Sohma and First Secretary, Economic Cooperation, Embassy of Japan (Fiji), Mr. Takato Maki.

Photo 2 - (L-R) PEC Fund Technical Officer, Mr Leonaitasi Taukafa, PEC Fund Project Manager Mr Jonathan Mitchell and Forum Secretariat Deputy Secretary General, Mr Feleti Teo, at the PEC Fund Joint Committee meeting held at the Secretariat Friday 1st April 2011.

Photo 3 - Chair of the PEC Fund Joint Committee and Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.