Savaii

Women of Samoa’s Asaga village enhance skills to generate income

The youth have also volunteered to be part of the project.

The village of Asaga celebrated the official closing of the project last week, where the village mayor Sui o le Nuu Lualua Tautu thanked the Programme Manager of the Civil Society Support Program (CSSP). 

Tautu said the participants were selected on a needs basis that targeted unemployed low-income families, not all of whom had any prior knowledge of sewing or elei printing.

Samoans grateful for easing of restrictions on inter-island ferry services

50 year-old Sione Hanunga said he was happy to be finally returning to his home in Savaii.

“I was so happy when I heard about the boat were allowed to go to Savaii, it is my chance of going back home. I came to Upolu to sell my crops and was stuck here. So I stayed with my daughter and her family, now I am able to go back to my home, I am so happy.”

Second year university student, Lorraine Tufele also shared the same experience.

Samoa Airways to begin new service between Upolu and Savai'i

As Polynesian Airlines, the Samoan carrier used to fly from Fagalii to Maota airports as well as Asau but the service was discontinued in the late 1990's.

At one time, there were also direct flights from American Samoa to Savai'i.

According to a press statement, the new flights aim to develop the tourism market on Savai'i.

Samoa Airways chief executive, Tupuivao Seiuli Alvin Tuala, said that it was a good time to make new routes and offer more options to their customers.

Samoa’s Savaii celebrates National Voters Day

National Voters Day commemorates, celebrates and recognizes the importance of raising awareness to vote in a democratic society.
The theme for this year’s National Voters Day is, “Know Your Elections”. 

The Office of the Electoral Commission in partnership with the Women in Leadership in Samoa (WILS) Project, WILS – a three-year joint project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women with funding from the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of Samoa.

New clinic opens for Matavai Maloloina Village

The clinic was officially handed over to the community by Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Samoa, Amanda Jewell last week.

The clinic will provide first aid, over the counter medication and basic health assistance for minor injuries for people living in the area.

It will also be a base for any visiting medical teams to conduct Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) screenings and other health services.

The building was partially funded by Australia through its Direct Aid Program which provided WST $21,137.33 for the purchase of building materials.

Samoa unveils more renewable power plans

Work on the first hydro power station on Savai'i is now underway.

RNZ reports it is being built in the village of Vailoa Palauli.

General Manager for the Electric Power Corporation, Tologatā Tile, said this was only the beginning for Savaii.

New School hall in Savaii to benefit all.

 This was an initiative by Father Mosese and Don Bosco Savaii to ensure that there was a hall for holding functions, including graduations, and meetings.

“Most of the money for this hall came from Don Bosco Australia and Rome. It was our push and support that really made it possible to bring this dream into a reality,” said Father Mosese, Principal of Don Bosco Savaii.

“We accounted for more than 75% of the costs of the hall, our little walk for a hall in December last year made another total of $101,000 tala and thanks to the support of our country,” he said.