Value life. That was the message promoted by Faataua le Ola (F.L.O)/Samoa Lifeline during its first Suicide Awareness and Prevention Outreach programme for 2016.

Held on Sunday at the E.F.K.S Hall, Lalomanu, Aleipata, the event was hosted by Reverend Etisone Gafa, the Youth and Congregation of the E.F.K.S Church, Lalomanu. 

The Master of Ceremonies was Rev. Fr Peniamina Tapelu, F.L.O board member and spiritual advisor. It was attended by around 300 participants consisting of youth groups, parents and supporters from the E.F.KS, Catholic, Methodist and L.D.S congregations. 

The ages varied from pre schoolers, young children, youth, parents and church ministers.

F.L.O’s Director, Papalii Tiumalu Caroline Paul-Ah Chong, provided an overview of F.L.O’s work. 

F.L.O’s clinical counsellor / psychologist, Pei Tauiliili, spoke about the topic of “A healthy mind” followed by Alexandria Ah Chong-Nicholas, the Pacific Island Community Manager for Harbour Sport NZ, who spoke about the importance of a Healthy body.

The last speaker was Reverend Falefatu Enari, who spoke about a having a healthy spirit.

All presentations were followed by question and answer time.

The day’s special guest was award-winning artist, Annie Grace, who shared her personal testimony and sang : “I Choose You” & “Loimata o le Fiafia”, while her dancers performed the siva faaleagaga. 

Reggie Barton of Groundswell Australia, presented a monetary gift of $4,000 to Faataua Le Ola which was received by F.L.O’s Chairman, Hans Joachim Keil. 

Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale, F.L.O’s board member and Chairman of Fundraising, explained that Reggie and his team Groundswell Australia are a group of surfers and qualified builders who came to Samoa after the Tsunami of September 2009 and helped rebuild Sinalei Reef Resort. 

Every year since then they fundraise for Samoa in Sydney, Australia, and donate to a worthy cause of their choice here in Samoa.  This is the second time Groundswell has presented a monetary donation to Faataua le Ola. 

Hans Joachim Keil thanked Reggie and Groundswell Australia, for their kind donation and support of F.L.O’s work. He also thanked Rev Etisone Gafa for hosting Faataua Le Ola’s  first suicide awareness and prevention workshop for 2016. 

Faataua le Ola emphasises that life is a gift from God, therefore every human being must treasure that life and take care and have respect for the human body because it is the Temple of God’s Holy Spirit.

F.L.O’s Objective Components:  

1. “A Healthy Mind (Mafaufau) 

2. “A Healthy Body” (Tino)  

3. “A Healthy Spirit” (Agaga)