Good health promoted in Savai'i

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 22 November 2020, 7:00AM

The general health and well-being of the members of the Samoa Fa'afafine Association (S.F.A.) was the drive behind a fun-day activity held at the Don Bosco field on Saturday. 

A first of its kind on the big island, the event was well-attended by members of S.F.A. in Savai'i and from Upolu. 

Funded by the United National Development Program (U.N.D.P.) Global Fund, the fun-day also provided the opportunity for S.F.A. to raise awareness on H.I.V. and sexually transmitted diseases. 

"Today event is one of the components of our strategic plan, which is the general health and well-being of our members," President of S.F.A., Alex Su'a told the Samoa Observer. 


"This event is fully funded by U.N.D.P.' Global fund, and we also had sponsorships from Digicel and contributions from our own members.

"The real focus and purpose of the event is to emphasize H.I.V. awareness and sexually transmitted diseases for our community. So this is where we urge our community to get tested. 

"The aim is to raise awareness, inform, remind, and encourage our members to get tested and be protected from sexually transmitted diseases. 

"But we decided to have awareness in a fun way by hosting a sports day, gathering our members together, and have them tested to make sure they are safe and healthy."

S.F.A. had plans to host the activity in Savai'i earlier this year, said Alex. 


However, due to COVID-19 and orders of State of Emergency, they had to postpone it to another date and time. 

"So we finally decided to have it now before we get busy with the festive seasons and other plans at the end of the year. 

"There has been a lot of focus on our community in Upolu, which is why we decided that we do something here in Savai'i for our members on the big island."

Looking ahead, Alex said they are planning to make this an annual event for their members both in Upolu and Savai'i. 

Moreover, another goal of the event was to gather the members so they get to know each other and build a strong relationship among the members. 

"That is the other aim; to gather our members here in Savai'i and inspire them so they could be on board with our association and help us achieve our goals and plans for our fa'afafine community."

The members in Savai'i were divided into six teams: Fa'asaleleaga, Amoa, Salega, Palauli, Itu-o-Asau and Itu-o-Tane. 

The organisers arranged fun games for the six teams. 

Team Itu-o-Tane were the overall winners of the first-ever S.F.A. sports day in Savai'i. 

 

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 22 November 2020, 7:00AM

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