Prizegiving

Just as there is a celebration at the end of each school year in America, every school in Samoa also marks the end of the school year with a celebration called prizegiving. Prizegiving is exactly what it sounds like. Students at the top of each class is given prizes.

Now, when you think of prizes, you probably think books, pencils, school supplies, maybe a trophy or a coloring book. Well, this is not the case. Prizes in Samoa are more for the family than for the child. Prizes include things like tea kettles, cups, plates, and trays. Really makes you want to get first in your class, right? Especially if you're 6 years old! (That's sarcasm in case you didn't pick up on that).

But wait, how do you decide who gets the prizes?? In each class, students are ranked from 1st to last in their class based mostly on mid-year and end-year exams. The students who were ranked 1st through 5th in each class at my school got prizes. First prize was a tea kettle and set of a dozen mugs. Second prize was a dozen plates and six metal mugs. Third prize was a tray and a dozen mugs. Fourth prize was a tray and six glasses. Fifth prize was a large bowl and six glasses. Finally, each teacher could give out special prizes for most improved or best behavior. These students got a tray and set of glasses.

I decided to give out prizes to my most improved students, but I didn't want to go the traditional route and give out plates and cups. Instead, each of my students got a book, pencil, stickers, bookmark, eraser, and certificate. I think the kids enjoyed that a little more than a new set of cups (although I could be wrong).

After all the classes had given out their prizes, there were also top prizes for year 8 students. In the primary schools in Samoa, year 8 is the last year before they go to college (high school). They gave trophies to the top student for each subject as well as for students who won in a spelling bee or at culture day for a speech.

Also in year 8, they give a prize to the top student overall in the school. In America, we call this a valedictorian, in Samoa (and apparently Australia and New Zealand) they call it the dux. I'll let that soak in for a minute.... So this year, there was a lot of gossip and debate at the school over who the dux would be. The dux is supposed to be the top scorer on the national exams according to MESC (Ministry of Education Sports and Culture). The girl who earned this was a student who transferred to our school this year and was repeating year 8. Because of this, however, several teachers thought she shouldn't be the dux. After all, she hadn't been at the school since year 1! (I know, I don't agree with it either.) They ended up naming the girl who technically earned 2nd place the dux because she had been at the school since year 1.

Prizegiving was quite the Samoan experience. It was a long day, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm sitting in a hall with all the teachers in our lovely, matching outfits. Afterwards, I spent time with some of my teachers at the school chatting and drinking. It was a nice integrating experience.

Who run the world? Girls!

About a month ago, the sixth annual Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) conference was held in Apia, Samoa. GLOW is a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) initiative throughout several different countries where PCVs serve. In Samoa, the GLOW conference has become better known throughout the years. It started with just a conference six years ago and has been working more toward sustainability this year.

Each PCV who chooses to do so, can crea

te a GLOW club at his/her school. The purpose of GLOW clubs is to empower girls in upper primary years (typically years 6-8). GLOW is built on three pillars: careers and education, healthy bodies and healthy minds, and ending domestic violence against women and children. These topics are explored throughout the year in each GLOW club and the PCV and a local counterpart at the school run each club.

Even though the GLOW conference was in its sixth year this year, this was the first year that having a GLOW club at the school was a requirement for attending the conference. The goal of what PCVs do in their communities is meant to be sustainable. By introducing the idea of a GLOW club at each school and requiring that for the conference, the idea was to have GLOW be sustainable in Samoa.

This year, the GLOW conference brought together 78 girls and 14 local counterparts from 14 primary schools throughout Samoa to a 4-day conference held in Apia. I was privileged enough to help plan and run the conference and was so thrilled to see the girls selected from my school learn more about how they can become leaders.

Very often, Samoans do not have many opportunities to leave their villages (or potentially their island). They often find themselves growing up and staying in their village or possibly a village not to far from the one they grew up in. Their friends are often Samoans from their village. Being able to take girls to a conference in the capital helped them to expand what they know.

My girls made friends with some girls from other schools at this conference. They became so close with them in just 4 days that they cried when they had to leave them. They also got to hear from Samoans about how to stay healthy, possible careers, and how valued they are. This conference was an amazing opportunity for them.

Before joining Peace Corps, I had no idea about GLOW or why it is important, but I am so grateful that I got to be a part of it this year. The best part though, is that I get to do it again next year as well. I am so excited to grow my GLOW club at school and help to grow the conference so that more girls throughout Samoa have this opportunity. So many PCVs work hard to have GLOW clubs and to run this conference so a big thank you to them as well for putting in so much time and work to make this initiative grow in Samoa. I look forward to the day where this becomes a Samoan led initiative so that they can take girls’ leadership and empowerment into their own hands. 

A'iga means Family

Family is an important part of many people’s lives. I love my family, but have spent the last 10 years loving them from a distance. They are important to me. I simply have tended to do better being far away from them. Being in Samoa, however, has changed this for me for two reasons: 1. 7,000 miles and not seeing them for 14 months is a lot of time and distance even for me. 2. Family is an important part of Samoan culture.

In Samoa, family is everything. The whole culture in Samoa revolves around service, first to the church and then to family. Children grow up taking care of their parents. They are there to do things for their parents, serve them, clean, cook, and take care of younger siblings. Children continue to live with their parents until they get married and then the married couple decides whether to live with the wife or husband’s family. It is not unusual to find 3+ generations of a family in one house.  This is because family is so important to Samoans.

Peace Corps Volunteers in Samoa all have their own Samoan family in their village. While not all volunteers live with their families, many do. I am one of the volunteers who lives in a room in my host family’s house. While I was nervous about this given that I have not lived with my family in years, I am very thankful for my family. I want to introduce my family to all of you.

First, there is the matai of my family, my father, Mila. Matai means he is the chief, or the head, of my family. While Mila speaks English, he has been insistent since I moved in that everyone should speak Samoan to me. He is very proud of his language and culture. We don’t typically talk much, but we often simply laugh at each other. I can’t even say how many times he has laughed at me when I have come out of my room with a book in my hand. He is extremely protective of me and wants to make sure I am well fed and well taken care of.

Next, there is my mother, Malu. She is a teacher at my school so I see a lot of her every day. Malu, like my own mom, does not care what other people think. It is not uncommon to find her dressed oddly or dancing around just for fun. She also regularly tells people exactly what she thinks of them. She encourages me to be the same way. Despite the fact that Mila doesn’t want people to speak to me in English, Malu nearly always talks to me in English.

 

I also have a brother who lives in the house with me, Pati. Pati is 22 years old and a student at the National University of Samoa. He is only home during the weekends since his University is on the other island. Pati works really hard to take care of his parents since he is the only child who lives at home. Him and I like to joke with each other about boyfriends and girlfriends.

I have three other siblings who all live overseas. It is not uncommon for Samoan children to live overseas and send money home. I have been lucky enough to meet all of them since they have come back to Samoa to visit. I have a sister, Dreina, 20 who now lives in Australia, although she has been in Samoa for the past 4 months. I also have 2 brothers, Potoa’e and Brett who both have their own families and live in Australia.

Due to many health problems with my parents this year, one of my aunts has also regularly stayed with me at the house. Amataga is a sweet and caring woman. She helps me work on my Samoan and always asks how my day was. She offers to do my laundry and makes sure that I eat well.

I also have more family who live in my village including aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. The one thing my house doesn’t have though is young children. That’s where my neighbors come in. My neighbors next door have 8 children all aged 14 and younger. Five of the children regularly come over to hang out with me, knock on my bedroom door, watch movies, and color.

My Samoan family doesn’t stop with just who is in my house. In Samoa, family is more than just blood relatives; it is the village. I am so thankful to those in my village who I call my family. I am happy, however, that I get to see my mom (my real mom) in just three weeks.