Miss Samoa, Iliganoa Feagaimalii Soti Mapu, has launched “Suamalie Faaniu A’ati,” a Child Vendors Education Assistance Programme aimed at supporting children who work to help their families while encouraging them to continue their education.
Speaking at the launch, Miss Samoa explained the meaning behind the programme’s name based on the usefulness and resourcefulness of the coconut.
“O le popo e tele lona taua i o tatou olaga. E taua e tatou o le laau o le ola.”
“Suamalie Faaniu A’ati – you keep fighting, you keep working. Sometimes it’s difficult, sometimes you are hurt, but eventually you reach the popo and somehow it tastes even sweeter because you know how hard you worked to get there.”
She said the message is one she hopes children involved in the programme will carry with them as they work towards a better future.
Miss Samoa acknowledged that some children understand hard work much earlier than they should, including children who stand along the roadside selling goods to help their parents and families.
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“O le mamalu lena o lenei aso. O le tautua o le fanau mai lava ao latou laiti.”
Miss Samoa said the programme was created from the desire to make a small contribution towards supporting these children and their education.
The programme has been in development for several months, beginning with consultations and discussions on how best to assist child vendors.
She said the goal is to provide educational assistance and encouragement to children, particularly at a time when the cost of living continues to place pressure on families.
“O le auga o lenei polokalame, ina ia maua se auala e fesoasoani ai fanau e faamalosiau i a latou a’oga. Auā ua taugata le soifuaga..”
Miss Samoa said she hopes the assistance will help child vendors towards opportunities for their future.
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“My hope through this work is that your hard work today will open the door to greater opportunities tomorrow.”
Iliganoa Feagaimalii Soti Mapu encouraged the children not to allow difficult circumstances stop them from pursuing their education and dreams.
“Suamalie Faaniu A’ati, this is your restart. You just need to do everything within your power to make it count.”
Miss Samoa called on the community to take up the responsibility to ensure children are always supported.
“This is our responsibility as adults to make sure that these children do not have to do that work alone.”
Following the launch, the programme aims to continue supporting children through mentorship, educational guidance and partnerships, while creating further opportunities beyond the initial assistance.
Miss Samoa acknowledged that the programme cannot solve every challenge faced by child vendors in Samoa, but said meaningful change can begin with small actions.
“Ou te iloa e le mafai ona ou fo’ia uma faafitauli o loo feagai ai ma o tatou tagata. Ae i lo’u lava talitonuga e amata lava i sina mea laititi. E fai lava le sao o le tagata i le mea e mafai ai.”
In her final message to the children, Miss Samoa encouraged them to see the launch as a new beginning and to believe that their current circumstances do not have to determine their future.
“I hope that one day you look back at this moment as the day something restarted, the day you decided to keep going and the day you decided that whatever circumstances were at that moment, they would not determine where your life could take you.”
The program led through Miss Samoa’s platform and supported by the Miss Samoa Community Fund through Digicel Samoa and other business partners.
Alofa Grace is an Intern Reporter and Photographer with Samoa Global News. Alofa Grace is passionate about sharing stories and capturing real moments. She is a graduate of Maluafou College and hopes to continue a career as a Journalist.
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