“We believe we can.”

That was the theme of Aoga Fiamalamalama’s end of term Fair held earlier this month.

During the Fair the school’s senior students showcased the skills they have learnt and demonstrated what capable individuals they are becoming.  

Aoga Fiamalamalama is a nongovernmental school for students with intellectual and learning disabilities located in Alafua. The school was established in 1979 and its current roll of 37 students are flourishing under the careful guidance of principal Sharon Suhren and her dedicated team of teachers.

The Fair day began with a prayer and songs then as parents and other community members arrived, a variety of vocational demonstrations took place. 

In the kitchen, senior student Fetoai talked through the food preparation and hygiene skills that he and his class have been learning from volunteer teacher Zaki. 

The students then demonstrated their cooking skills by making a delicious curry using school grown vegetables and Samoan beef.

For sale in the garden section were basil and aloe vera plants, cut sage and ginger root. 

All the produce was grown on site by the students who raise the plants from cuttings or seeds. The students carefully look after the school gardens and understand that the skills they are learning now will help keep them fed in later life.

In the handicraft area of the school students were making and selling colourful mats, intricately folded paper flowers and Fluffy streamers of delicately knotted fabrics. The students pick up craft skills fast and diligently work on each piece until it is completed.

At the end of term the students will be having another fair and Sharon would like to invite you the general public to come along and see what these students are capable of and the contributions they can make to the Samoan society when given the opportunity to do so.