As the eldest of five siblings, and Deputy Head Boy at Catholic Cathedral College in Christchurch, 17-year-old Favor Leavasa knows the meaning of responsibility.
The New Zealand born Samoan believes Samoa Language Week – Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa is an opportunity for people to embrace the beauty of the Samoan culture and also take responsibility of keeping the third most spoken language in New Zealand alive for the next generation.
“Samoa Language Week is important because it is a week that pays tribute to our ancestors who paved the way for us,” Favor says.
“We will eventually become ancestors of the future generations, so for me, it is a week of acknowledgement and honouring, but also a week of teaching and learning, about the beautiful language, people and culture of Samoa.”
As Deputy Head Boy, Favor’s main involvement in Samoa Language Week has been based at his school.
During the language week, Favor and several student leaders organised an event for their teachers to teach them about the history of the Samoan language and culture.
“I helped some of our teachers to pronounce the names they found difficult to say; I said the morning school prayer in Samoan all week; and organised a Samoan performance for our school assembly.”
“The highlight of this year’s Samoa Language Week was doing 25 push ups with the teachers and fellow students of our kolisi,” Favor says.
“We did this in honour of Anthony Faitaua, who was an ex-student and who died not long before lockdown – he was passionate about our Samoan culture but also about suicide awareness.”
The experience has been a highlight because Favor could honour Anthony and the work he has done, while also spreading a message of hope for the Samoan and Pacific communities.
He says going forward, Samoa Language Week can only grow bigger.
“As we continue to progress as a nation, along with technology and the advancement of humanity, Samoa Language Week could be far more widespread and not only celebrated in Niu Sila.”
Although undecided about what he will do when he leaves school, he is certain it will involve helping Pacific people in New Zealand who are struggling.
“As I grow older, I aim to do as much community work for Pacific people and especially our younger generation as they are the future of this world.
“If I can make a positive impact or difference in any Pacific person’s life, that is my way of giving back.”
After a successful online launch hosted by the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (Christchurch) on May 24, Samoa Language Week 2020 ended last Saturday.
The next event in this year’s Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) Pacific Language Weeks series, is Kiribati Language Week, from July 12-18.
Visit MPP for Samoa Language Week resources and information.