Pacific Tsunami Relief Concert Sydney

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SYDNEY!

Sat 31st October Sydney’s Pacific Community came together for the Pacific Tsunami Relief Concert supported by Pacifica Unite.

The fundraising event was facilitated by our Pacific community working party, made up of local community members and Pacific business people, who volunteered their time and resources towards this event.

As the director alongside Ben Sega, we are proud of the achievements and efforts of our working party, who had not facilitated an event of this magnitude previous, in such a short timeframe.

We acknowledge and thank all artists, community dance groups, suppliers, volunteers and international artists for all your support, commitment and contributions in ensuring the success of this event.

We are very optimistic about the opportunity for further community events in the future.

Many thanks to the following organisations and individuals:

Jay Laga’aia/Dragon/Ardijah/Papali’i Sisters/ Hopelive Worship Team/Maybelle Galuvao/Anne Robertson/sPacific Dancers of Polynesia/Stan Walker and Australian Idols/Erana Clarke/Baba Aulelei/In the Zone/Chiefly College performers/Kid Mac/Fetu ole Moana/Emily Williams and singers/Emani/Mai Polynesia/Vtribe/Matthew Ntlele and Jeremy Ormond/Khalani Dancers/FOB squad/Elisa Fidele Band/Fonkee Nomads/Zukalaki Boys/SuiteAz/Graeme Isaako/ChongNee/Cydel/Lapi Mariner/Lole/NSW Council for Pacific Communities/Holi Entertainment/Oosh Entertainment/Pacific Unity/Showtime Tours/Pacifica Unite/Code Black Securities/Russell Athletic NZ/Samoan Travel Sydney/Sydney Showgrounds/Novotel and Ibis Olympic Park/Australian Idols/Ragsta/Western Union Australia/Rotary Australia and Bendigo Bank

We are currently constructing a new “Pacific Tsunami Relief Sydney” website in which we will disclose our financials for the concert, funds raised, post testimonials and formally thank all those involved.  Also we would like to advertise our upcoming initiatives for our Pacific community in the Sydney area.

We thank you all for your support and especially for your paitence.

Pacific Tsunami Relief Concert Sydney 2009

Pacific Tsunami Relief Concert Sydney 09

The NSW Council for Pacific Communities is supporting a Pacific Tsunami Relief Concert to be held:

Sat 31 October 2009

Main Arena – Sydney Showgrounds Olympic Park at 12 midday – 10.30pm

Hosts: MC Jay Laga’aia, Lapi Mariner and Joe Galuvao NRL

Tickets sold through Ticketek    $30 per adult/$80 per family of four/0-6 FREE entry

Featuring: Australia’s Dragon, ARDIJAH*ChongNEE*Cydel* Vince Harder*Hillsong Church*VTribe*Lole and many many more artists

www.pacifictsunamirelief.com

For more details – contact June Teaurima on pasefikalife@optusnet.com.au

Pacific Tsunami – Fa’avae i le Atua Samoa

29 Sept 2009 Tragic Tuesday - This is a day the Pacific community world wide, will not forget.

Many lives have been affected by an earthquake and tsunami that hit the shores of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga in the early hours of the morning.

As a proud Samoan and mother of two beautiful daughters, my heart goes out to the mothers whose children were ripped from their arms as they battled the waves of the tsunami. The parents who have loss their children to this tragic disaster.

The roaring sound of the waves that struck ,as many of our people were still waking up to a new day.  The helpless children and eldery who were not able to escape the ferocious strength of the seas. No where to run, no where to escape.

It all feels so surreal – like a nightmare…The lives that have been lost and the survivors whose lives will never be the same again.

At night I lay awake, in my warm bed, as my people lay out in the open with no shelter.  As I decide what to eat for dinner, my people struggle to find food.  As I hug and kiss my children and tuck them in for bed, my people mourn for the loss of their beloved children.  As I whinge and moan about my messy kitchen, my people are left homeless.  As I take for granted my family, my children, my home and surroundings – my people have lost everything!

My life will forever be changed…

“Fa’avae i le Atua Samoa” – God be the foundation of Samoa

In a developed country that is blessed and fortunate – let’s not forget where we come from.  Let’s not forget what our parents, our forefathers sacrificed so that we could have the pleasures of life today.  Teach our children to make the most of the opportunities this wealthy country has to offer us.

Let’s make the most of our opportunities in our lives, let’s not concern ourselves with matters that cause anger, strife, conflict and division.

Instead ask ourselves, it is really worth it?

Let’s ask our Pacific, Indonesian and Filipino brothers and sisters what they think?

Forever in our hearts and prayers

Mana Fa’aola Diabetes Health Initiative

In Australia, the prevalence of diabetes has doubled over the last 20 years, but due to the increased population, the actual number of people with diabetes has tripled.

 The rate of hospitalisation of people born in the Pacific for diabetes complications in 1995-96, 1990-00 was 5 times than people born in Australia (NSW Dept of Health: 2002)

As more Maori and Pacific Islanders are migrating and making their home in Australia, the health problems which have been identified in New Zealand are becoming increasingly evident across the Tasman. Preventable debilitating diseases, commonly associated with long term social disadvantage are highly represented – in particular heart disease and diabetes. (L Rodriguez: 2007)

With Pacific communities in Australia there are often indicators of social disadvantage in relation to health care information and access, as well as issues such as over-crowding and poor primary health care common to low income families. ( L Rodriguez: 2007)

There is a need for specially targeted programmes and as has been demonstrated repeatedly in New Zealand, the solution needs to be whanau or family-based. There would appear to be an urgent need for more research into this area as the Australian government has been criticized for its lack of support and concern for non-Anglo communities in regard to preventable health issues. ( L Rodriguez:2007)

Currently in Australia there is no national body of information or formalized mechanisms for sharing information regarding diabetes in culturally and linguistically diverse community (CALD) groups’ (Australian Centre for Diabetes Strategies:2005).

With that knowledge, Pasefika Life has developed Mana Fa’aola – “Spirit of New Life” Health Initiative. 

Mana Fa’aola is founded on the evidence that partnerships and relationships are critical components to successful health intiatives, as proven in New Zealand.

Mana Fa’aola means “Spirit of New Life and New Beginnings” in Samoan.  This initiative aims to promote and educate our Pacific people towards healthier mindsets regarding Health and Well-being, active lifestyles and healthier dietary options for themselves and our younger Pacific generations.  Also there is a strong emphasis placed upon cultural assimilation into the wider Australian community – whilst holding onto individual core morals and values as Pacific peoples.

For further information about Mana Fa’aola Health Initiative visit:

 http://www.manafaaola.wordpress.com

Strength + Beauty: The Empowerment of Young Polynesian Women

A polynesian sister striving to achieve her dreams and goals, Elisiva Gallardo was born and raised in Anchorage Alaska and also in Lotoha’apai, Tonga. Currently working on graduating with a bachelor in Journalism and Public Communications.

Elisiva established the Strength + Beauty Program: The Empowerment of Polynesian Women. This program shares about the women that have come before us, and have provided a path to inspire and empower other Polynesian women, through education and culture.

Elisiva has dedicated this program to all young Polynesian women in her hometown and around the world, and she has called upon the support of many more of our Polynesian women to partner with her in reaching out to our younger generations.

“They need more than just an inspiration but a heart that understands their stories”, is Elisiva’s heart, passion and desire.

Elisiva is one of many of our Pacific Island women worldwide dedicating her experiences to give back to our Pacific community. Elisiva shares with our young women, our 3 monarchs – Queen Liliuokalani, Queen Salote and Queen Salamasina, and how their humble lives still remain positive role models for many of our Polynesian women today. She shares about the challenges these women faced in their times and how they overcame certain issues and situations.

Strength + Beauty – Highlights the empowerment of our Polynesian young women and is the gateway for many more initiatives aimed at encouraging our young people to embrace and be proud of what makes them individuals in today’s society – their heritage, traditions and history.

“The Future Belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”©

visit: www.liveloveempowerment.blogspot.com

Everyone has a STORY

Pasefika Life has had the privilege of working alongside the PCYC with our Maori and Pacific Island Youth at Risk in our local community.

After our first session with the youth, my husband and I were excited about the opportunity to impart into the lives of our youth – hope.

We see so much of ourselves as youngsters in them and we also see the desires each individual has to break free of their current situations.

The one thing that stands out right now – is that all they want is to know that someone geniunely cares and wants to listen to them.

As a community, it is far too easy to see our youth on the streets and build our own stereotypical notions of what these kids are all about.  But if we take the time to hear their stories – we begin to understand that they,  in their own way  are trying to reach out to anyone who cares to listen.

In this short time of working and meeting with the youth, not only are we learning more about their lives,  but my husband and I are also learning more about our own lives! 

We’re learning about life – through their eyes. 

Their perceptions – their feelings and thoughts – their means of survival.

Our work with young people is about “growth and guidance”.  Not just with our participants  - but for our Pasefika Life facilitators and mentors too.

This journey for us is about “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes”.

Everyone has a story…..

In the rat race of life, where society has become consumed in ”individualism” and greed, and how much more we can gain – let us take the time to listen and learn about someone else whose life may be different from our own.

Its amazing what we can learn in life – if we just take the time to listen.

These kids are slowly beginning to open up – and our hope is that we can impart into their lives something of substance, something to help transform their lives -by taking the time to “listen and learn”.

Let us remember – before we pass judgement upon the life of another, understand that – everyone has a story.

How Precious Is Life?

This holiday season has been plagued with the deaths of many of our young people, not only throughout Sydney but around the world.

The most recent being the tragic feared drowning of young up and coming Rugby League star, Sonny Fai of the New Zealand Warriors.

While cooling off in the waters of Bethell Beach in West Auckland NZ with family members,   the promising 20 year old League player was tragically caught in a rip and  taken out to sea whilst helping his younger brother get back to shore.

No words can explain the dismay and heartache the Fai family must be going through at this time. 

Such a gifted and auspicious life to be taken in such an adverse situation.

Everyday we are faced with different circumstances, and when such tragedy strikes, we begin to realise how precious life really is.

My heart is to help our young people realise their individual  potential.  To encourage them to realise that life is precious and that we only get one chance at it.  Life’s a journey, a race.  Not a sprint, but a marathon.  And in that journey we learn and grow. 

Sonny’s life has sadly been cut short – and he will always be remembered for his achievements, his love for his family and his commitment to Rugby League and his team.

Let us take this adversity and use it to educate our young people to grab ahold of the opportunities that life has to offer and proceed forward in life with determination, hope, wisdom, diligence, and persistence to achieve all we can to become better people, a better society, a better country and a better world!

Sonny will always be remembered by his family and friends as a selfless young man who had the potential to achieve whatever his heart desired.

Let us teach our children the valuable lessons of life – to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way, and to be grateful and thankful for everyday that we are alive!

Life is precious!  Let us use this affliction to help build our young people up! Let’s not waste another day living aimlessly.  Let us use Sonny’s zeal for life as an example for our young people to follow!

You’re our Hero Sonny!

THINK & DREAM BIG

Amidst all the negative publicity surrounding our Pacific young people in Australia today, it definitely calls for our Pacific Island community elders and leaders to work together to help bring about support, education, and cultural awareness and identity to our young people.

The violence and alcohol related incidents are a mere cry for help – and we, as the Pacific community urgently need to step in and try and find ways to assist and understand our young people.

Where does the anger and violence stem from? Why the gang mentality? How can we reach out to them amidst a society that has all but given up on them?

Our young people need to understand that despite some being bought up around broken, violent, alcohol affected, fatherless homes, this does not mean that their futures are bleak – doomed to failure. 

It all begins with a conscious decision to not allow our pasts to become our futures.  And that means – changing the way we think and act!

Breaking the poverty mentality cycle – breaking the broken home and relationships cycle, breaking the alcohol, drug and gambling addiction cycles, breaking the lack of education cycles.

Our children need to begin to “THINK & DREAM BIG”!

In order to begin to change their mindsets – they need to be able to envision what success means to them subconsciously.  Seeing, feeling, tasting, touching – using all their senses to fully embrace where their lives can be, if they choose to change.

It begins and ends with a choice!  The choice to not settle for a life of mediocrity, the choice to not settle for just scrapping by week to week, the choice to not settle for “any job”, the choice to not settle for “status quo”, the choice to not settle for societies negative stereotypes.

Our people, our children have so much to offer society in their natural abilities to sing, dance, perform, play sport, act, design and create.

Let’s us begin to take that journey with our young people by giving of our time, attention, focus, energy, resources, to reach out and change the path of destruction that some of our young people are down. 

But, it all begins - in our own backyards first!  The home.

Let’s live what we teach – let’s firstly be transformed and live lives of accomplishment.  So that we walk the walk, and talk the talk! Let’s lead by example – and have our children follow our lead.

Let’s unite to fight against defeated mindsets amongst our young people today!

Pasifika Women Book

Congratulations to Ms Sandra Kailahi in collating the inspirational thoughts, words, and experiences of 20 of our successful Pacific Island women in her book Pasifika Women.

This is just an encouragement for more of us Pacific women worldwide whether in business, sports, literature, music, health or whatever sector or industry to give back to the community and society by sharing our experiences, our quotes, our lives – in hope of touching the lives of those around us.

Though our individual experiences may all be different – we all have common ground – our cultures!

Strong and Proud.

I look forward to reading Ms Kailahi’s book.  Keep up the awesome work Sandra! Be inspired woman.