Grant recipients recognised at American Embassy
More than 20 representatives from non-government organisations and individual recipients of scholarships for exchange programmes were recognised at a ceremony at the American Embassy at Vailima on Thursday.
The reception was held in honour of the local non-governmental organisations that have received, and are receiving, funding from U.S. Embassy Apia’s 2019 Public Diplomacy Grant Scheme.
The U.S. Embassy's Chargé d'affaires, Antone Greubel, said he was pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate attendees' achievements.
“We want to recognise all your hard work when receiving grants from the U.S Embassy Apia 2019 Public Diplomacy Grants programme or [by being] selected as [a] participant in one of the U.S Embassy's exchange programme,” he said.
Mr. Greubel said he knew of the rigour involved in securing grants first-hand.
“I am happy that all of you held through this long process of securing funding for your project and well done,” he said.
Mr. Greubel said the United States Embassy was pleased to enter into partnerships with projects that were positively influencing local communities.
“For example the Samoa Victim Support Group is helping to build vocational skills for [young people]; the Animal Protection Society [has recently launched] the nationwide ‘Pets are Family' education campaign,” he noted.
He also added the Embassy is looking forward to supporting many more such initiatives in the future.
Mose Mose from the Employ Mai organisation said he was grateful to have received a 'Mission Driven Alumni Outreach Grant' that will help with a new project.
"[We] will focus on helping out the unemployed youths of Samoa," he said.
Nathan Chong Nee, who attended the 'Young Pacific Leaders Conference', said his team at the Samoa Voyaging Society was dedicated to protecting the future by encouraging young people's critical thinking and leadership skills.
The Business of Salafai Association, which received a public diplomacy grant, says that it has grown a network of small businesses in Sava'i who benefit from its training and outreach programmes.
The full list of grant recipients includes:
- Samoa Events – Apia Public Diplomacy Grant
- Samoa Victim Support Group - Apia Public Diplomacy Grant
- Business of Salafai Association - Apia Public Diplomacy Grant
- Samoa Recycle and Waste Management Association – Regional Environment Grant
- Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture – American Spaces Grant
- Employ Mai – Mission Driven Alumni Outreach Grant
- Talita o le Lumanai – Young Pacific Leaders Grant
- Le Tiumasalasala – Arts Envoy Grant
- Christine Tuioti – Young Pacific Leaders Conference
- Nathan Chong Nee – Young Pacific Leaders Conference
- Leata Masefau – Pro Tourism Fellow
- Marita Ah Sam – Pro Tourism Fellow
- Fiona Ey – Changing Faces Women’s Leadership Program
- Taua Kose – Changing Faces Women’s Leadership Program
- Dr. Joel Klenck – NUS Seminar Series
- Edwin Tamasese – IVLP - Agricultural Trade and Food Safety
- Faasootauloa Sam Saili – Global Entrepreneurship Summit
- Lanuola Tupufia – Pacific Island Journalism Reporting Tour
- Vaituutuu Toimoana – American English E-Teachers
- Dulcie Wong Sin – Pro Tourism Fellows
- Anthony McCarthy – Pro Tourism Fellows
- Philippa Matautia – ESPN-Women Global Sports Mentoring Program
- Daniel Ngg Cho – IVLP Young Pacific Leaders on Social and Economic Development