The US Embassy Apia, Samoa has honoured 11 Samoan organizations and 10 individuals at a Grantee Ceremony at the U.S. Embassy Residence in Vailima.
The organisations received funding from the U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2018 Public Diplomacy Grants programme as well as other funding support.
The recipients will or have participated in United States Exchange Programmes, such as the International Visitor Leadership Programme and Professional Fellows Programmes.
The keynote address at the ceremony was delivered by Ambassador Scott Brown, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.
Embassy Apia’s Public Diplomacy Grants Programme is a small competitive programme offering grants of up to USD $10,000 to local non-government organizations to strengthen democracy, engage youth, promote U.S.-Samoa links, address environmental and health issues, advance science and technology, increase respect for civil society and the rule of law, advance human rights and women’s rights.
The International Visitor Leadership Programme at World Learning is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme.
Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience America firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts.
The recipients are:
Samoa Victim Support Group
Samoa Gridiron
Samoa Women's Association of Growers #SWAG
Taimua 2016
Animal Protection Society of Samoa
Samoa AIDS Foundation
Nobesity Samoa
Invest Golf – Sports Envoy
Samoana Jazz & Arts Festival – Arts Envoy
Turn a Life Around – American Corner - Apia, Samoa Grant
Ministry of Education Sports and Culture Samoa – American Corner Grant
Mose Mose – Professional ICT Fellows
Talatalaga Matau Matafeo – Professional ICT Fellows
Lenara Tuipoloa Utuva – Professional Tourism Fellows
Sheena Ng Lam – Stowers - Professional Tourism Fellows
Iulai Lesa - Professional Tourism Fellows
Liz Ah Hi – Google Labs Hoax Workshop
Vaitoa Toelupe – Alumni Exchange
Fetoloai Yandall-Alama - International Visitor Leadership Program
Lote Lima – International Visitor Leadership Program
Keni Lesa – INDOPACOM Exchange (November 2018)