The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) took place in Samoa from Mon 21 Oct – Sat 26 Oct 2024 and I was thrilled to partake in this historic event for Samoa.
As a Samoan raised in Auckland, New Zealand who hails from Saleilua Falealili and Vaipuna Apia, it has always been a goal of mine to go back to my motherland and serve my community.
An opportunity came up for me to run Dressed in Confidence in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development Samoa for youth, creatives and participants of CHOGM and of course I jumped at it!
The participants expressed that the Dressed in Confidence program was both invigorating and a novel experience for them. For many of the students, it marked the first opportunity to openly share their personal opinions and emotions in an environment where they felt safe and supported.
They appreciated having a designated space that encouraged genuine expression, allowing their voices to resonate and be acknowledged for the first time. The program fostered an atmosphere of trust and openness, which was a significant departure from their previous experiences, further enhancing its impact on the participants.
I have made some exciting plans to return to Samoa and engage in further community work. The opportunity to contribute to my community resonates deeply with me and brings a sense of fulfilment that truly nourishes my spirit.
Being involved in initiatives that uplift and support my fellow Samoans not only allows me to give back but also enriches my own life in countless ways. I find immense joy and satisfaction in forging connections, sharing experiences, and collaboratively working towards positive change alongside the people I care about.
This endeavour is something I genuinely look forward to, as it connects me to my roots and helps me grow both personally and within my community.
Faafetai Tele Lava Samoa – la’u atunuu pele.