Young volunteers for the Samoa Family Health Association (S.F.H.A) spent the day with the elders at Mapuifagalele last week.

The group of young University and College students wanted to set an example of youth leadership in action and make a contribution to the home for aged care.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Programme Manager, Leiloa Asaasa, said the visit had been a great opportunity for young people to give back to their communities. 

"It was a very beautiful experience to me personally!," Ms. Asaasa said. 

"Instead of doing something for ourselves it is the youth giving back to the community - well, not entirely the whole community, but to the needy. And that's how youths are [supposed] to be [to] give not just receive."

“So it’s like we are reminding the youth of Samoa not to just wait for the blessings to come their way but to be a blessing to at least one or two people [themselves]. Because it is through giving that change is established.”

The activities were designed to coincide with last week's celebration of Youth Week across Samoa. 

At Mapuifagalele, the youth performed entertainment and also presented food to the elders.

Every year the S.F.H.A conducts programmes for youth groups, whether it be at Church or in community.

But this year they decided to do something different and have collectively agreed to this activity as their positive contribution to be actively engaged in the community. They have decided to this year adopt a theme for their activities: "Transforming Education”.

The group offers their free time voluntarily to support the S.F.H.A staff by helping out in the clinic in serving the clients and by attending an S.F.H.A. awareness programme with Association staff to teach on Sexual Reproductive Health.

There are more than 40 young people who are registered in this group working closely with S.F.H.A. staff.