The women from villages in Upolu were colourful and entertaining as they presented woven mats at the Salamasina Hall on Wednesday.

It was the Mulifanua women's committee who were recognised for weaving the most number of mats under the Fuataga weaving program.  They did three better than last year, when they took the same award last year with 10 mats.

Leader of the Mulifanua Women's Committee Falanika Faga, said it was not an easy job. 

"Many people have given up. But a brave and persistent mother will always find a way to achieve her goals and dreams, especially for their family," she said.

“Moving forward, the group is currently learning how to make siapo for the future. But firstly, we must learn the skills before it can be done,”

Mrs Faga was also awarded a certificate for outstanding performance in guiding and leading her group. Falanika is honoured and deeply proud of her team's work so far as working together as a team made everything possible.

"I have many talents, such as elei printing, making hand fans, and handicrafts, but what I earned was not enough to provide for my family's needs. But with weaving just fine mats, what I earn has been more than enough to provide for my family," she said.

“The weaving of the mats is important to me as part of our culture and heritage as nowadays other Pacific islanders are learning our practices and claiming it as their own culture. But according to our ancestors, this practice is an important and sacred part of our culture. As the saying goes, the I’e Samoa mat is one in a million.”

Meanwhile, the Afega Women's Committee was rewarded for producing the most siapo for this program. They produced 20.