Amata keynotes St. Joseph Old Boys fiafia night event which raises almost $4,000
July 06, 2006

By Taliulu Samuelu
Samoa News Correspondent
July 15, 2006

PAGO PAGO. The Marist St. Joseph Old Boys Association raised close to $4,000 during its fiafia night on Friday at their center in Tafuna. The goal of the event was to bring the group's members, families and their supporters together and to raise money to fund projects sponsored by the non-profit organization.

Aumua Amata was the invited keynote speaker and distinguished guest for the Old Boys' function that evening. She thanked the non-profit organization for their endless contributions to the community, and also for the opportunity to participate in their function last Friday.

Most of her 10 brothers had attended Marist Brothers School in Atu'u noted Amata while she attended St. Francis Sisters School in Lepua and St. Mary's Primary School in Savalalo. The youngest of the thirteen children, her sister Moni, graduated from Fa'asao Sisters School.

Amata told the audience that to serve our people most effectively, we need to address the most important issues facing our society, and health is one of those issues. She said we need to solve chronic health problems including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension in order to raise the quality for our people of all ages and it will require the support of the federal government. Treatment is important but so is preventive care education.

Amata stressed that education is the key to financial well-being and the quality of education of our children and families will play a major role in how they find their way financially and socially.

Another high priority in her platform is the future of our economy. Amata sees a brighter future but said that, although there are obstacles ahead, she's encouraged by the extremely high productivity level of our local work force.

How we achieve these ambitious goals depends largely on our ability to gain the support of Congress and the executive branch in Washington, explained Amata. She indicated that a non-voting delegate has limited reach and influence in the corridors of power in Washington and seniority does not count for much if one is in the minority. Amata believes a junior delegate who's connected to the majority can get much more done for our people than a senior delegate in the minority. She is convinced that after 30 years of experience in American Samoa and Washington, there is more than one way to raise the financial support we need to assure our financial growth and security in the future and that is why she is a congressional candidate this year.

Following her remarks, Amata performed a siva which raised money for the Association.

Other talented groups also helped raise money, including a beautiful Tongan dance done gracefully by Theresa Paul, the popular five-year-old star with personality plus, who has done radio ads for her parents' local restaurant as well as for one of the airlines serving Pago.

Association member Deacon August Gabriel said projects such as the monthly prayer services, and community and church organization donations will be funded with the money raised last Friday.

More than 200 people attended the event, and religious leaders of the Catholic and CCCAS churches were also there, including representatives of the Weightlifting and the Golden Oldies Sports organizations.