(Photo: Health Star Pacific)

NEW ZEALAND: Central Cancer Network Fono
Source: MPIA Press Release
 
Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste, Kia orana, Ia Orana, Gud de tru olgeta, Taloha ni, Talofa, Kia ora tatou and Warm Pacific Greetings to you all this morning.

I am extremely pleased that I am able to join you for this important meeting between the Pacific community and the Central Cancer Network.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to attend. I would particularly like to acknowledge the Central Cancer Network's management team - Jo Anson Regional Manger, Dr Simon Allan Clinical Director at Mid Central DHB, and Dr Andrew Simpson, Clinical Director for Cancer Services at Wellington Hospital. I know firsthand what a wonderful job Andrew does.

I would also like to acknowledge your guest speaker from the Ministry of Health, Anne Allen-Moetaua, all the representatives from District Health Boards, primary health organisations, non-government organisations and the attendance of so many important leaders from the Pacific community.

This fono is an important opportunity to develop partnerships that strengthen our understanding of the importance of good information and access to cancer services for our Pacific communities. This is a very important challenge and it requires all of us to develop an open and transparent process that leads to some clear outcomes and numbers.

Introduction
About a third of New Zealanders – that's about 1.4 million people - have experience of cancer, either themselves or through a friend or family member.

That’s a large number of people who have themselves been diagnosed as having cancer and have experienced the worry and anxiety that it causes. There is also an enormous number of people who have supported a friend or family member or have lost someone to cancer.

There are about 17,000 new registrations for cancer each year – people with families /whanau/aiga/kaianga and friends, all of whom are affected by the treatment and the result for their friend or family member.

Government's commitment
Our Labour-led government is hugely committed to ensuring that health services are accessible for all New Zealanders. We are particularly focused on primary health care and prevention of illnesses. We are taking cancer extremely seriously and are committed to reducing illness and
deaths from cancer which affects the lives of many New Zealanders.

Earlier this year Prime Minister Helen Clark announced $164 million of new funding over five years to a major immunisation programme to fight cervical cancer. Health Minister David Cunliffe also announced the fast tracking of a national colorectal cancer screening programme – this is a
cancer that is New Zealand's second biggest killer but is amenable to early detection and is very treatable.

It is by no means an exaggeration to say that cancer services in New Zealand are extremely important. Our government recognised this in 2003 with the creation of the Cancer Control Strategy, with the key purpose to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer. We continued to recognise this with the development of the Cancer Strategy’s Action Plan in 2005 and with
the setup of the four regional cancer networks in 2006.

Each of the networks have been funded more than a quarter of a million dollars each year, as we focus on closing existing gaps in services, ensuring greater co-ordination of developing services, and that scarce and finite resources are being used efficiently and effectively. This brings
together DHB's, non-governmental organisations, primary health organisations, consumers and other stakeholders to work collectively to improve access to cancer services and ensure patients have the right information.

The government and the Cancer Networks are committed to improving cancer services in New Zealand because we are committed to reducing the impact of cancer on our communities. Your presence here today indicates your commitment.

Breast cancer
There are many types of cancer, but the one I have been asked to pay special attention to today is breast cancer. I will start by sharing some statistics with you:
• 1 in 3 cancers occurring in New Zealand women is breast cancer
• The age range where the incidence of breast cancer is highest is women aged 50-54
• Over 6 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each day
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women - over 600 women die from breast cancer each year
• 1 in 10 women in New Zealand will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime
• Each year about 2500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer – last year I was one of these women.

I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you to be told that the outcome of a person’s cancer treatment is greatly improved by the cancer being caught and treated early.

Some women are diagnosed early and are treated early. Some women are diagnosed once the cancer has begun to spread to nearby organs and bodily systems. And some women are, unfortunately, only diagnosed when the cancer has significantly developed further into their bodies.

Breast cancer in Pacific women
When looking specifically at Pacific women, the number diagnosed with breast cancer has increased dramatically over the last decade. We now have nearly 100 Pacific women being diagnosed each year.

Recent statistics show that 32 per cent of Pacific breast cancer cases were detected at an early stage, compared to 39 per cent for Maori and 45 per cent for European and other ethnic groups.

This trend of Pacific women taking longer to report their cancer symptoms is also shown in other statistics. For example, Pacific women are also far more likely to report their breast cancer symptoms once the cancer has spread significantly than women in other ethnic groups and Pacific women are 20 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer than other New Zealand women.

These statistics make it clear that Pacific women are reporting breast cancer later than women from other ethnicities, and this is allowing the cancer to be more developed, which affects the outcome of the cancer treatment.

It is therefore vital that we continue to see more and more Pacific women being screened. While recent figures show that over the past two years nearly 1900 more Pacific women were screened for breast cancer, with a 9 per cent increase since 2006 to 49.8 per cent, this is well below the 63.7 per cent figure for European and other ethnic groups (Maori is 47.1 per cent).

Breast Screen Aotearoa's programme provides two-yearly FREE breast screening for eligible women aged 45 to 69 aims to screen 70 per cent. Their vision of their National Advisory Committee is, 'saving lives, reducing inequalities and building the nation's health by leading the
delivery of screening programmes, uncompromising in their quality and trusted by the communities we serve'.

We all have a role in seeing our Pacific women coverage figures move closer to that for all women. If we are to fight the sort of inequalities I have just described, then we need to arm our communities with the best information and the best links within the community.

We know through research that routine breast screening reduces a woman’s chance of dying of breast cancer by between 20 to 45 per cent.

Campaigns around breast screening particularly focus on messages that appeal to Māori and Pacific women, raising awareness and focus in normalising the subject of screening and increase understanding about its benefits.

The tone of these campaigns is positive, with a focus on respect, knowledge and support for good reason. There is a lack of awareness about breast screening in general but particularly among Maori and Pacific women who also have cultural issues about their bodies to deal with.

Personal experience
The reason I went public with my experience of breast cancer is I wanted to encourage all women, but particularly Pacific women to have regular mammograms as early diagnosis provides a great chance of a good outcome.

There is reluctance amongst women to talk about these issues, as we are often frightened and private about our bodies. I hope that my sharing my story the fear will be taken out of breast cancer.

My breast cancer was found through a routine mammogram.

My message is have breast checks. We can survive cancer to live a long and happy life with our families – and regularly screening makes this more likely. We want our women to encourage and support one another to be screened, and be supported by their husbands, partners, brothers, sons and families.

We need to make sure that that our people are aware of the risks of cancer and know who to talk to and how to get information. While more Pacific women are being screened now than in the past, there are still very many eligible Pacific women who are not getting screened. We need to encourage these women to get screened so that cancers can be detected and treated as early as possible.

It has been great to see organisations like PACIFICA holding events to increase awareness of the issues, and encourage and support our women to have regular mammograms.

This fono and your presence today is extremely important. As leaders of the Pacific community you have the opportunity to gather information that can be of great value to your communities and to help those communities make connections to cancer professionals.

Conclusion
I would like to close today my impressing on you the opportunity that faces you today. We have here leaders from the Pacific Community and leaders from the Cancer Network. This is an opportunity to bring these two groups together and form partnerships for the benefit of our
communities.

I am sure you will all make the best of this opportunity.

Thank you for inviting me here today. And more importantly thank you for the work that you do in our communities.

Photo Caption: Breast Screening Candle Light service during the Community Partnership Health Conference last November.
 

(Photo: SUNGO)

SAMOA: Basic Counseling will contribute into helping to rehabilitate re- offenders
Source: SUNGO Press Release
 
The initiative to implement this course was brought into attention when the Juvenile and Rehabilitation Program under the Ministry of Justice requested for assistance from Samoa Umbrella for Non Government Organisations with its member organisations under the Thematic Groups of Social Services and Community Development. The participants of this course
are mainly SUNGO members who are in these thematic groups. The course will smooth the progress of building their capacity into understanding concepts of counselling, identifying types of counselling and many more. The skills and knowledge gained will also be taken back to their workplace to further enhance their understanding of their respective key duties and
responsibilities.

Trainer Siautu Alefaio is a Registered Psychologist of Samoan heritage who has over 10 years experience in the sector, and is very passionate to work for the Pacific nation’s communities. She was supported by Rev. Reupena Leau as the co trainer for the course who is a Board Member for SUNGO and is undertaking counseling work for his community at Piu village.

Basic Counselling course kicked start on the 18th August 08 and it was wrapped up today the 22nd August 08 with a closing ceremony attended by NZ Aid representative Kilali Alailima and Oloamanu Centre Programme Coordinator Maualaivao Maima Malifa.

The Samoa in Country Programme is co funded by NZAid and AUSAid and it's undertaken by implementing agencies including SUNGO for the NGO sector in Samoa, in collaboration with the National University of Samoa through the Oloamanu Training Centre.

Photo Caption: Participants at the Training.
 

(Photo: Courtesy BTP/J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: ASCC Students Triumph Once Again at Broadway Theatre Project
Source: ASCC Press Release

With the new semester now underway at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), word has gotten back from the latest group of its students who attended the Broadway Theatre Project (BTP) training program in Tampa Bay, Florida this past July. After submitting audition tapes during the spring, Daniel Helsham, Milton Manase, Johnny Saelua, Fa’afetai Shane Ta’afua and
Ruth Lynn Tuasivi all achieved acceptance into the rigorous three-week tutorial on the arts of singing, dancing and acting. The students fundraised for months to pay for their travel and tuition, and in return received training under some of the most influential figures in the
theatrical world, alongside approximately 200 other fledgling performers from across the United States. Besides the students and instructors, the BTP also attracts numerous directors, producers, and talent agents from the theatrical world, all on the lookout for emerging talent.

So how did the group from American Samoa perform in such esteemed company? “After our first three students from the College made it to the BTP last year, the faculty took a special interest in us,” said dance and drama instructor Carmela Gallace, traveled with the ASCC students. “After
seeing the five who went this summer, the BTP now recognizes ASCC as an institution that produces world-class performing artists.” While Gallace’s account may sound over-optimistic, she recalls how the prominent casting agent Jay Binder immediately expressed an interest after witnessing a performance by one of her students. “His agency, Binder Casting, has contributed to the plays ‘The Lion King’, ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘Grease’, and the list goes on. They also cast the films
‘Chicago’, ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Hairspray’, and many more. After seeing and hearing Shane Ta’afua during a preliminary BTP audition, Binder approached Shane and said he wanted him to audition for a role in ‘The King and I’, a classic musical that producers plan to revive on Broadway next year.”

Aside from the meeting with Binder, Ta’afua enjoyed working with the celebrated professionals who served as BTP instructors. “Observing how they approach performance and apply creativity really gave me a fresh perspective,” he said, “and I feel excited about learning all I can in
this field.” Ta’afua also spoke with representatives at the BTP from the Boston Conservatory about continuing his studies at that institution’s Fine Arts Department. “I’ll take things one step at a time,” he reasoned. “First, I’ll see where this opportunity with Jay Binder leads. Either
way, I still have a strong interest in studying with the Boston Conservatory.” As luck would have it, Ta’afua has a previous familiarity with “The King and I”, from which he had performed a scene during the local Speech Festival while in high school. He will have the chance to explore the play further when ASCC presents “The King and I” as its fall 2008 stage production later this semester.

The other ASCC students had adventures of their own at the BTP which they excitedly relayed. From among the large number of students, the BTP organizers chose Ruth Lynn Tuasivi to sing one of the only big solo numbers in the program’s final public performances before a paying
audience of close to 3000. Tuasivi chose the song “Mama Will Provide” from the play “Once On This Island”. For the same show, the BTP also selected Milton Manase to perform a comedic and vocal solo which “had the entire audience rolling in their seats” according to Gallace, while
Johnny Saelua turned in an impressive rendition of the song “Black and Blue” from the musical “Ain’t Misbehaving”. Dave Clemmons, a seasoned Broadway performer currently working as a casting agent, selected Daniel Helsham to perform in a separate program of gospel music.

Describing the two-week program as “intense”, Manase also recalled, “I really felt welcomed by the students and faculty. I liked the improvisation, especially in songwriting class. One day we got to free-style lyrics to beats that we created in class, which I especially enjoyed.” Tuasivi called the trip “an eye-opener to hidden talents” and said, “I’ve improved with my singing skills after meeting so many successful directors, actors and singers who helped me.” Gallace related
how the natural talents of the ASCC group occasionally gave the BTP staff cause to marvel. “The dance faculty told me they felt taken aback that Johnny Saelua had very limited training in dance,” she recalled. “Everyone thought he had studied for years.” Saelua himself reflected,
“They mix pleasure with pain during the program, but to participate as an apprentice at ‘the most prestigious performing arts program in the world’ made me feel really honored.”

The ASCC group shared a part of their homeland with the BTP by presenting a special Samoan cultural performance for the entire faculty, staff and student body, exposing many of them to Pacific artistic expression for the first time. “The Director of the program, Debra McWalters, had tears in her eyes because the performance touched her so deeply,” said Gallace. To view photos from the ASCC presentation online, go to the web page: http://photosatyourplace.com/BTP2008/Samoan/page_01.htm.

Now back home, Gallace and her students will begin preparations for the next ASCC productions, “The King and I” this fall, and in spring 2009, “The Lion King”. On the selection of “The King and I”, Gallace explained, “Besides his interest in auditioning Shane Ta’afua, Jay Binder said there
may be opportunities for other young actors from American Samoa when he casts this same play sometime next year. Our production of ‘The King and I’ will give Binder something he can review on DVD, and if other cast members here stand out as especially promising, then Binder may find
roles for them.”

For members of the community interested in supporting the efforts of ASCC students to develop their talents in the theatrical arts, Gallace reminds the public that her department can always use any sponsorships towards projects such as providing scholarships, inviting professionals to hold
workshops, and arranging for four-year performing arts institutions to hold auditions locally. “We’ve received crucial support so far from many members of the public and private sectors, too numerous to mention at one time, and we hope they share our pride in the results of their
generosity. Our young people have so much natural artistic talent which they could turn into careers with the right guidance, and they can accomplish this if their community stands behind them.”

Speaking of community involvement, Gallace has one potential supporter she wishes would notice the abundance of singing, dancing and acting talent among American Samoa’s young adults. She said, “If anyone knows how to contact Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, he might have an interest in contributing towards developing all this natural talent here. A lot of our aspiring performers already look up to him as a role model, so even if he could just speak to the students and give them some advice on how to find work in film or television, it would really inspire them. I often think of how much good The Rock could do for the development of these young artists if he wanted to get involved.”

The Rock, or any other interested patrons, can contact Carmela Gallace through ASCC, or by emailing c.gallace@amsamoa.edu. For more information on the Broadway Theatre Project, visit www.broadwaytheatreproject.com (note that they use the British spelling, i.e. “theatre”.)

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - ASCC students perform a special Samoan Cultural Presentation during this summer's Broadway Theatre Project training program in Florida last month. (l-r) Daniel Helsham, Ruth Lynn Tuasivi and Johnny Saelua
.
Photo 2 - Daniel Helsham (left) and Ruth Lynn Tuasivi take their curtain call during the highly successful ASCC production of "Aida" earlier this year. Daniel and Ruth both returned recently from the three-week training program held by the Broadway Theatre Project in Florida.

Photo 3 - Ruth Lynn Tuasivi (center) is seen here performing the role of Princess Amneris during the ASCC production of "Aida" earlier this year. Ruth Lynn spent three weeks this summer in Florida, attending the training program held by the renowned Broadway Theatre Project.

Photo 4 - Fa'afetai Shane Ta'afua (right) performs a comical scene during the ASCC production of "Fiddler on the Roof" last year. Shane recently returned from the three-week training program held by the Broadway Theatre Project in Florida last month.
 

(Photo: Cindy Hanson)

AROUND THE WORLD: Guam Preparing for the Biggest Cultural Event of the Year
Source: Guam Visitors Bureau Press Release

Guam’s largest cultural fair, hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau, is being planned with an eye to this year’s theme, Celebrating Our Seafaring Traditions. The Guam Micronesia Island Fair, in its 21st year, is a celebration of the island cultures, arts, and performances of the entire Micronesia
region. Seafaring traditions are the focal point of this year’s fair and the master canoe builders of Micronesia will gather to showcase their art in tribute of 2008 being the Year of the Proa, the local
word for the handcrafted seagoing canoes of Guam and Micronesia.

The 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair will be held at Guam’s Ypao Beach Park from October 17 – 19 and like past fairs, will welcome representatives from all parts of Micronesia. Currently, the islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (Saipan, Rota, and Tinian) will participate along with the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae), the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and of course, the host of the fair, Guam USA.

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair will feature cultural performances, exhibits of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, many products from Guam and Micronesia that will be available for
purchase, a traditional Chamorro Hut display, and a botanical garden. A display of traditional outrigger canoes will be displayed, courtesy of Project Proa and TASI – Traditions About Seafaring Islands. TASI will also be giving rides on a real proa. Local produce and livestock
will be exhibited and there will be plenty of activities to keep children entertained. Food and drink booths, many featuring authentic Micronesian cuisine, will insure tummies stay happy and full during the Guam Micronesia Island Fair.

Two other signature events will occur during the weekend of the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair. The 10th Annual Micronesia Cup (Outrigger Canoe Races) will take place over the weekend and on Sunday, runners from around the world will participate in the 3rd Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race, also sponsored by GVB. An exciting feature of the Guam Ko’ko’ Road Race is the live cultural entertainment that takes place along the streets of the race course and the many local
spectators that come out to cheer the runners on.

If anyone is interested in becoming a vendor at the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair, there is still plenty of time to sign up. Applications are available online at www.visitguam.org, click on the
logo and then

select Vendors. All the information needed is in this section of the website, including the application form. Interested parties can also pick up an application at GVB’s offices in Tumon during regular business hours or contact event organizer Ruder Integrated Marketing Strategies for additional information on how to participate in the fair. Organizers would like to encourage food vendors who offer snacks, confectionary items, and fiesta-style food plates to participate in the fair.

Artists wishing to showcase their art at the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair are encouraged to apply! All artists must be registered with CAHA and can do so by contacting Jackie at (need details). Specifically, organizers are looking for traditional and contemporary arts and crafts from Guam and Micronesia, products made in Guam and Micronesia, cultural games, local produce and plants.

The deadline for artists and vendors to submit their applications is 5 pm on Friday, September 12, 2008.

The Guam Visitors Bureau would like to thank the presenting sponsors of the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair for helping to make this the biggest fair in history. Special thanks to Continental Airlines, the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, and the stations of KUAM.

Photo Caption: Guam's Preparations for the Biggest Cultural Event.
 

FIJI: To Fiji With Love
Source: Fiji Times

Ann Cooper lives in Laguna Beach, California which is about 8750 kilometres away from Fiji.

Yet she has initiated a kindergarten project in Vanua Levu which has two pre-schools in Vunikura and Nawi for 64 children between the ages of four and six.

The faith-based project The Fiji Kinde Project - has been running since 2007 and she has plans to open up a third kindergarten in Loa when she returns to Fiji in September.

A former kindergarten teacher from California in the USA, Cooper has a passion for early childhood education.

I believe learning at a young age is foundational for children to fully develop to their full potential, says Cooper.
I've visited Fiji five times with my family, spending a lot of time in Buca Bay and I can see a great need for pre-school education in the area.
I want to contribute to this wonderful country in this small way.

The project has also been providing assistance to kindergartens in Kioa and Vatuvonu.

Under the project, teachers from the US, many of whom specialise in pre-school reading, art and creative classroom management, visit villages at the invitation of the community to set up the kindergartens.

Since the start of the project we have brought in six teachers and other helpers from the US to help start the kindies and teach the teachers, says Cooper.

As they teach kindie to these children, the teachers from the States are showing the local teachers how to teach as well.

The village teachers get hands-on experience and observe a kindergarten classroom in progress.

The team also brings all the materials for learning and donates everything to the kindergartens.

Items such as crayons, markers, paper, scissors, puzzles, alphabet letters, learning games, puppets, books etc are all used to teach and help guide the pre-schoolers ones to expand their thinking skills..
 

TAHITI: Air Tahiti Nui launches US flight specials
Source: Aviation Record

Air Tahiti Nui, the international airline of Tahiti and her islands, has launched a range of early bird specials for travel from Australia to Tahiti and onwards to Los Angeles.

Return economy fares from Sydney start at AU$1190 plus taxes of approximately $463, for travel between January 15 and March 31.

“Travellers can combine the excitement and pace of Los Angeles with a relaxed and tranquil stopover at Tahiti,” said Craig Lee, regional director Australia for Air Tahiti Nui.

Bookings can be made until September 15 and can be added to land-only packages. Taxes vary according to origin, destination and can change without notice.

From Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra fares start at $1417 plus taxes, Adelaide from $1553

plus taxes, Cairns for $1792 plus taxes, Darwin from $1871 plus taxes and Perth from $1905 plus taxes.