NEWSPAGE 27 May
2011

(Photos: Manukau Institute of Technology)

NEW ZEALAND: MIT Pasifika students join together for graduation celebrations

(Photo: Savali News)

SAMOA: 41 schools log on to CSL’s e-rate programme
Source: Savali News

Thousands of primary students across the country can now access the Internet thanks to Computer Services Limited’s e-rate programme.

Launching the programme on Friday at the Vaivase Primary School, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi extolled on the multi-pronged benefits of the Internet.”

“There is just a multitude of information available on the Internet. No need to carry around a thesaurus or a dictionary, word definition is at your fingertips. Plenty of resources to assist student studies that you normally cannot find in a library here in Samoa.”

“The internet is the future and learning how to use the internet at a young age opens up many doors for our children.”

“Trade and business is conducted on the internet, complex surgeries, infrastructural designs and every other field is resourced off the Internet.”

The Prime Minister pointed out that this is particularly important as Samoa is transitioning from a labour-intensive economy to a knowledge-based economy. And that businesses like call centres, which requires a high level communications and Internet savvy, will gradually replace processing line factories like Yazaki EDS.

“But for with everything, there are good and positive aspects to it as there are bad ones. The Internet is no different. The onus is on the Internet service providers and the schools to ensure that students do not have access to bad things available on the Internet.”

The Prime Minister believes one is never too old to make use of the Internet.

“I could imagine our matai teleconferencing with other overseas-based matai during village council meeting, debating issues that benefit the village community. I could imagine old women in the villages weaving a fine mat while skyping (e-communicating) online with her grandchildren in Australia.

“The technology is there, make full use of it.”

Funded by the Asian Development Bank in partnership with CSL, the project covers computers, peripherals, photocopiers, accessories and fast-download Internet costs.

Said CSL general manager Laeimau Oketevi Tanuvasa;

“We believe that for a future of technological savvy environment and for Samoa to produce ICT literate citizens to prepare for her future, we should lay the foundation platform now and to introduce appropriate and safe technology to our younger generation.”
 

(Photos: Australia-Pacific Technical College)

AUSTRALIA: Women tilers assist Hilton Special School
Source: Australia-Pacific Technical College

Gaining on-the job experience is an essential part of all APTC courses, but particularly so for those who come to the College as New Industry Entrants.

Recently, the 'Women Only' Certificate III Tiling students could be seen at Hilton Special School in Suva, gaining this valuable work experience.

The school, which caters for children who are deaf or have physical disabilities, has new tiling in the bathroom, thanks to the women's efforts.

The APTC students are also constructing a raised garden, for the children in wheelchairs, and the concrete for this has been poured.

Amongst the women APTC students working on this project are Ms Laisa Vulei and Ms Vineeta Goundar who are members of the Deaf Community.

"Not only are we tiling and making a garden," said Tiling trainer Mr Neil Atkinson, " but the children are seeing women, including those with a disability, engaged in what has been a traditionally male occupation."

Mr Neil Atkinson said that much of the material for the project had been donated or supplied "at a generous discount" by industry partners and suppliers in Suva.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Trainer Neil Atkinson (left) oversees trimming the edge of the concrete.

Photo 2 - Laisa Vueti (front) and Kelera Vakatoga (back) smooth the concrete.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: WIB promote enterprising PNG women
Source: The National

The days of being seen as housewives and second class citizens is over for Papua New Guinean women.

PNG women are now competitive and just as business minded as their male counterparts.

Thus, the women’s dreams and aspiration is now being motivated and empowered through Women in Business (WIB) initiative, a desk created by Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC).

Managing director for SBDC Diri Kobla, manager, business development and information services division, Nathan Timo and WIB officer Maria Kalap said SBDC had recognised PNG women as important development partners and endeavoured to promote and empower them in their business aspiration.

Kobla said the purpose of setting a desk for WIB at SBDC was to empower and assist women in business in PNG align with Vision 2050 and to achieve its development aspiration.

“More importantly, our focus is on women who are doing small business at informal sectors like selling ice block, small scale faming, and textile businesses.

“We do that by way of sponsoring them for skilled training.

“We also provide seed capital to the women to start up their small businesses with the skills they have acquired from the training,” Kobla said.

Kalap said SBDC had many success stories from the first batch of women trained in Port Moresby under WIB sponsorship at the Women Textile Training centre.

“These women have progressed well in various businesses they are engaged after being skilled and trained here.

“Most prominent is one of our first batch grandaunts operating a successful business in Goroka town in Eastern Highlands,” Kalap said.

She said the second batch sponsored by WIB would end their training next week.

They are Regina Wani, originally form East Sepik but based in Madang representing Momase region, Betty Daniel from Wabag, Enga (highlands) and Veronica Stevens form NCD (southern).

At a low key ceremony, yesterday, Kobla presented two industrial and one locker machines to the women with a small unspecified seed capital to start their business.

The women were grateful for the training and support from SBDC.
 

(Photo: Solomon Star)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Monument to honour scouts and coastwatchers
Source: Solomon Star

A monument to honor Solomon Islanders who have worked as scouts and coastwatchers during the second world (WWII) will be erected at Point Cruz Commonwealth Street after a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday.

The war memorial was designed and crafted by renowned local artist Frank Haikui.

Former Speaker of Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea officiated in the groundbreaking with other World War II Scouts Edward Lulumani, Thomas Titiulu, Alfred Alesasa Bisili, monument sculpture Frank Haikui plus Reginald Douglas from Dalgro which marks the commencement of the construction of the monument.

The monument is expected to be completed by August 7 to coincide with the annual memorial service to mark the occasion of the landing of the marines on Guadalcanal in 1942.

The total cost of the project is $400, 000.00 but the committee is making appeal to assist the project through completion by August 7.

Bruce Saunders who heads the project said the statue would bring pride to the nation in honoring Solomon Islands scouts and coastwatcher during WWII.

“We want Solomon islanders to understand and support the monument that is a pride to the nation.

“We hope the memorial will ensure the history and stories of Solomon Islands war heroes are not forgotten,” he said.

Mr Saunders said the longer-term plans of the project are to incorporate the stories of the Coastwatchers and Scouts into Solomon Islands educational history curriculum.

The Solomon Island Coastwatchers and Scouts observed and reported on the movement of the Japanese during World War II.

There is no doubt that the success of the Solomon Island campaign depended upon the bravery and tenacity of this dedicated group of people.

As US Admiral ‘Bull’ Halsey, whose responsibility it was to win back the Solomon Islands after its capture by Japanese forces in 1942 said, “The Coastwatchers saved Guadalcanal and Guadalcanal saved the Pacific.”

To date the Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers have mostly gone unrecognised for their heroic efforts and with every passing year there are less surviving Scouts to tells there remarkable stories.

The history and stories of these heroes are disappearing fast and need to be recorded for sharing with future generations.

Former Speaker of Parliament Sir Peter said it is time the nation builds monuments to reflect on the works of our men during the WWII.

The National Museum has agreed to host an exhibition following the dedication. This will include the Honour Roll, information and artifacts relevant to the heroic efforts of the Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers.

Part of this exhibition will be on show at the monument site on dedication day.

The official unveiling of the monument will start with a parade including the Royal SI Police Force latest contingent who have adopted the name ‘Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers intake’.

In the afternoon, Commonwealth Street will be closed to traffic to allow Solomon Islanders to enjoy a ‘Choral Celebration’ coordinated by Reverend Mareta, - wonderful music fitting for such an occasion.

Photo Caption: Coming soon: Norman Palmer Haikiu poses with the sculpture he is working on alongside Frank Haikiu to honour the services of coast watchers in Solomon Islands.

(Photos: Avon Voices)

WORLDWIDE: Talented young diva competes in Avon Voices global talent search
Source: Eileen Mahe

Roslynn Mahe is a singer/songwriter/musician from New Zealand, born to a Tongan Father and Samoan Mother, now living in London. Roslynn has grown up in the New Zealand music industry singing with the likes of Annie Crummer, Peter Morgan, Beaver and has previously featured on Tangata Pasifika, Showcase and Australia's X-Factor.

She has been blessed to have made it through to become one of 136 Round One Contenders in Avon’s first ever online global talent search. She is also the only Tongan/Samoan representative in this group. The Contenders featured now on AvonVoices.com, were selected from a group of more than 6,000 from 62 countries and took the challenge to showcase their singing talent, tell their story, and share their dreams.

The finalists will be selected by a combination of online public voting and renowned judging panel of music industry leaders from around the world, including: Fergie, six-time Grammy award winner; Grammy Award Nominated Natasha Bedingfield, Diane Warren, legendary songwriter; and Sheila E., breakthrough, Grammy-nominated female percussionist.

YOUR VOTES could help Roslynn move one step closer to realising a musical dream of hers and our families and the opportunity to inspire and empower women of all cultures through music.

 

A message from Roslynn

As the only Samoan/Tongan contender in this Talent Search, I would love your support, so here’s a quick explanation of what you need to do:

1. Visit the AvonVoices website to hear Roslynn's Round 1 Video:
http://www.avonvoices.com/en2/watch/e00125051d800352028a81e5ca1066b7

2. Click "Register" at the top of page, it’s quick & simple.

3. Click "VOTE" right under video to cast your 75 votes with one click!

Please VOTE (it is FREE and every registered voter has maximum 75 votes to cast my way for Round 1)

Add me as a FAVOURITE & COMMENT (so I can reply to you).

Your support is invaluable so thank you in advance. Malo aupito and Fa’afetai lava for your support! Peace & Blessings.

Roslynn x

You can also show your support by following me on my:

Facebook Contender Page
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Roslynn-Mahe-Avon-Voices-Contender/205054066193412?sk=wall
 

and

Avon Voices Profile Page
http://www.avonvoices.com/en2/profile/YyR4uq