Vaimoso Boys Brigade marks milestone

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 31 August 2017, 12:00AM

The revival of the Vaimoso’s Boys Brigade has had a positive impact on the lives of the youth. 

Last Sunday the Vaimoso Village Council celebrated the one-year anniversary of that revival during a combined church service.

Village Mayor Faleafa Matai’a told the Samoa Observer the revival of the Boy’s Brigade has brought together the youth in a way they have not seen before.

“As we all know, some of the young ones of our village were involved in gangs. However since the revival of the Boys Brigade everything is back to normal and the youth are active in the activities,” he said. 

“A year ago, the youth involved themselves in ways that could get them in trouble, and that’s when the village stepped in." 

“At this time last year we decided to revive the Boy’s Brigade to make sure that all the young ones of the villages are occupied and are a member of this group.”

Joining the Boys Brigade is compulsory for Vaimoso youngsters, he told the Samoa Observer. Now the group has more than a hundred members.

According to Faleafa, the Boys’ Brigade was originally started by the Congregational Christian Church in 1940 and was inactive several years ago. 

“After a while it was then passed on to the village. Now it is no longer the C.C.C.S. Boy’s Brigade but the village’s so this is a way of ensuring that our young people stay out of trouble.”

“It wasn’t until last year when the Boys Brigade was revived and the boys have been inactive in the activities of the village." 

“They clean and decorate the village when there are big events in our country." 

“With the Teulila festival coming up, the Boys Brigade are the ones who will be in charge of the decorations and beautifying Vaimoso." 

“Aside from that, they are also involved with the curfew and are part of the village untitled men (aumaga).”

The new officers include Captain Tauili’ii Anthony Pauga; Vice Captain Tu’umalu Jr Patauave; Secretary Ronnie Ulberg; Deputy Secretary Fiti Fiti; Treasurer Lemafua Leu Maifiti; Deputy Treasurer Asotolu Auava’a. 

Faleafa further stated the Boys Brigade have now been separated into three groups, Zone A which consists of the young men in Vaimoso Uta and the leader is Lematua Leu Maifiti. 

“Zone 2 is overseen by Se Tofa and the members are from the inner village while the Zone 3 is led by Epesi Metaui and the members are from Muliumu and Pesega area,” he said. 

The Village Mayor also acknowledged the continued assistance from businesses such as B.S.L. and B.S.P for their continued support.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 31 August 2017, 12:00AM

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