Sewing Program

One of the first projects that the village requested was to implement a sewing program for the younger women of the village. I assisted them in preparing a funds request to the New Zealand High Commission in Apia.


Head seamstresses Luana and Malaepepa check out the machines.


Words can't express


The four bosses discuss how to divide the work for making the new dresses.


First time seamstress Oli gives the new machines a shot.


Nice shorts Oli!


Laufau, Mafu, and Ala get ready for a class.


There's enough of me to go around ladies.....

Samauga Health and Activity Center

The old committee houses. The house on the right was torn down and a new partition including two large rooms were built onto the house on the left.


Laloifi, myself, and Malaepepa traveled to Apia to the Australian High Commission to receive the check for building materials.


Village carpenters discuss the plan for the renovation.


Renovations begin by the men of the village.

The labour force pose next to the sign from Australia signifying their assistance.


The village gathers for a picture that ended up in the Samoan Observer, the national newspaper.


Myself and village counterpart So'oalo Siliga in front of the newly renovated committee house.


The day of the house opening ceremony features a representative from the Australian High commission, Mini, and the pastor and his wife.


Mafu and Malaepepa, members of my committee, work on the final report.

New Primary School

This project is still on going. The village is currently finishing the clearing of the new land for the school. We expect to start construction within the next month and it will be ready for the 2011 school year.


The road that split the old school grounds in which our proposal was based.


School committee members So'oalo Siliga and So'oalo Timo at the signing ceremony with the Japanese Ambassador.


School Committee President Lemana Ioane signs the financial agreement with the Japanese Ambassador. Japan agreed to fund materials for seven classrooms. The village will come up with the remaining funds.


Coconut trees come down in the clearing of the new land for the new school.


Local chief Tupa'i Sio makes sure no coconut goes to waste.


This guy needs to the palm fronds to make some baskets.


Locals watch on as the work continues.


This guy is slicing me open a coconut.

Homework Center

Fuatino, Fa'afetai, and Ime rehydrate before study time.


Vagai, Serafi, and Seipua have a laugh over the word "diameter". You had to be there.


Serafi, Seipua, and Ime, wish I would stop taking pictures so they can get back to work.


Fa'atoafe, Salamo, Fa'afetai, Vagai, Serafi, and Seipua concentrate on their copying.

Everybody celebrates after the Prize Giving Ceremony.

Gardening

Musu gets ready to make a healthy feast.


Bok Choy


Cantelope


Peanuts on the left, corn on the right.


Cucumbers

Computer Classes

Nimo practices his arithmatic


Presenting Angel, top typist in year 7, with a gift at the end of the year prize giving ceremony

Year 8 Boyz


One on one training on how to kill the chickens


Seuao, my partner in teaching, directing the class.

Coming Home!

Samoa has been good to me over these last two years. I am entering my 22nd month of service which means only two more to go until my current contract ends. Several months ago I decided to re-up for another year. As far as I'm concerned it's official that I will be working as a volunteer for the Samoa Tourism Authority. Just like my first assignment I anticipate it will be an adventure and challenge in adjusting to a job with new faces and a having a new role. But, the tougher the duty, the greater the rewards. If it's easy it's not worth doing.

I'll be coming home for a month this fall. I'm looking at the second week of September for arriving home and hope to see as many familiar faces as possible. I'm trying to pencil in a trip to Manhattan to see the KSU-NEB game so all of you in the Aggieville area get ready. The family is planning a trip to Colorado as well so if you live near Estas Park let's get in touch. Most of my time will be in Lincoln so we can catch up at Quik Way, Pizza Hut, or the park.

I'm going to post some blogs and pics of what I've been up to for the last two years. Hope some of you get a chance to read and enjoy.

See you soon,

Jim