18 02 May 2016 Australia Samoa Newspaper
18 02 May 2016 Australia Samoa Newspaper
Samoa voted in the top ten most ethical places to visit
Miss Samoa ’ s Easter visits Unsung Heroes
Miss Samoa , Ariana Taufao with staff and residents of the Goshen Mental Helath Trust .
For the second year in a row and for the third year since 2013 , Samoa has featured in the Ethical Traveler ’ s Top Ten List .
Ethical Traveler is a non-profit organisation and a project of the Earth Island Institute which survey ’ s the world ’ s developing nations and assesses their performance in the areas of Social Welfare , Human Rights and Environmental Protection . Each year , Ethical Traveler releases a list of countries that excel in these areas in a bid to encourage travelers to visit destinations that contribute to a safer and more sustainable world . Ethical Traveler utilizes information provided by sources such as Freedom House , The Millennium Challenge Corporation , Reporters without Borders , UNICEF , the World Bank , Amnesty International and various LGBT sources .
In order to make this list , each country must also offer unspoiled natural beauty , great outdoor activities and the op- portunity to interact with local people and cultures in a meaningful , mutually enriching way . Needless to say , Samoa fit the bill in every category .
Samoa received a perfect score from Freedom House in the areas of Social Welfare and Human Rights . Samoa issued a State of Human Rights report in 2015 , the first of its kind in the country , which aims to increase measures already put in place to further protect women , children , people with disabilities and prisoners .
In another step to preserve and protect its natural resources and beauty , Samoa scored high in the Environmental Protection category with the country launching new solar plants in 2015 , on its way to meeting its objective of plans to providing 100 % sustainable energy by 2017 .
“ Climate change affects our islands dramatically and we feel the effects of that first , so we have an important role to play in educating the world on this front and to continue to lead by example , especially in sustainable tourism development ” says Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi , Minister of Tourism .
“ We have a unique culture found nowhere else in the world , the foundation of which is based on respect – for each other , for visitors and of course our surroundings . Visit Samoa and see for yourselves why it is so important for us to protect and preserve what we have – our culture , our people and our surroundings - to live as one with nature , sustainably and with respect so that future generations can enjoy the natural beauty we are blessed with .”
2016 is Visit Samoa year . For the latest events and deals visit www . samoa . travel .
“ Look up ! Is it a bird ? Is it a plane ?” Typically speaking , the word hero conjures up images of men in capes and women with muscles , everyday beings living an inconspicuous double life ; citizen by day , champion by night . Something along the lines of protagonists found in comic books and today ’ s action films . They portray them as a select few in the world and rightly so the particular traits of super-strength , speed and flight would be reserved for an elite class . But what about the elements that identify them as humans ? Compassion , compatriotism , and hope , can those not be found in each and every one of us ? Over 2000 years ago , one man inspired the world in an act of such selflessness we continue to honour His sacrifice in a period we call Easter . Jesus got the ball rolling and to this day we are moved by acts of kindness that emulate the same spirit of love .
The delivery team at the Paediatric Ward of Moto ’ otua Hospital .
A spirit of love I was witness to whilst delivering hot cross buns and chocolate eggs during the Easter weekend , where I visited Goshen Mental Health Trust , the Little Sisters of the Poor Mapuifagalele , Home for the Aged and the Paediatric Ward of the Moto ’ otua Hospital . To give a general idea of their work :
• Goshen Trust helps mental health consumers and their families ;
• Mapuifagalele provides care for free to elderly residents ; and
• Paediatric wards specialize in the care of critically ill infants , children , and teenagers . But as I was constantly reminded during my visits , it goes beyond that . Approaching the different staff about their day , they give me honest answers . No pretence , just a frank “ e pisi kele ”, and I suppose it ’ s because there ’ s nothing more frank than committing your life so wholly to another . Where I spend a few hours getting to know the treated men and women , cutting up vegetables , and distracting a parent ’ s anxiety , they ’ ll spend the next 24 bathing individuals , ensuring there is a warm meal set three times a day for over 100 people , and warding off near death experiences . Resources are stretched , overtime is a limited option and children in hospital beds will always seem like an unnatural sight but we can still count on them to be there the next day . A collective ‘ we ’ because all these groups provide access to the love , care and support the people of Samoa as a whole need in order for our country to continue to be emotionally , mentally and spiritually aware . In a world rife with confusion , people are looking for miracles . But let us not forget the true miracle of the season and acknowledge its reason ; Jesus Christ . For through Him , we were given meaning and at that , opportunity to proceed with His legacy of compassion and hope . There ’ s one thing about heroes that you ’ ll find whether you read about them in the newspaper or meet them in real life , and that is they always get the job done . As for my part , it would have been incomplete without the kind donations of hot cross buns and Easter eggs from Frankie ’ s Supermarket and IMEX Samoa , and rugby balls from the NRL in Samoa . To you all , I would like to say fa ’ afetai tele lava . Ia ufiufi ifo Ieova ia te oe i ona apa ’ au . So is it a bird ? Is it a plane ? No , it ’ s not Superman either , just someone making a difference one moment at a time .