Talofa lava and Warm Pasifika greetings,

On Friday, 7 May, Liva Alaifetu-Tafola, Leisa Falealili, Kolokita Fa’agutu, Fatai, Vetekina, Krishna Tolova’a, Iolama Lauave, and I participated in the 2021 Tula’i Pasifika Youth Leadership Programme.

As the day went on we got to know more and have a better understanding of what Tulai is about and the aspects that will be offered to us young pacific islanders through this journey. As it was my first time attending this programme, I gained more knowledge about our pacific islanders who have accomplished their goals when there were many obstacles and barriers that prevented them from going ahead, but with the words of the quotes from our ancestors `we should not be defined by the smallness of our islands but in the greatness of our oceans. We are the sea. We are the ocean. Oceania is us” said by Epeli Hauofa, showing that even though we come from small nations, we tend to be strong when we come together. In other words, when one of our pacific families struggles, we will help each other to become stronger and revert how we are labeled by society today.

Overall, I enjoyed this program and am glad to be chosen to witness and be a part of our pacific islanders become stronger when all of our Polynesian pacific come together and will hopefully influence and encourage those around us.

O le afa i le pule o le tautua – the road to leadership is through service.

Fa’afetai lava
Grace Phillip 13GP