Malaki Tito Malupo Taufao’s journey from a corporate job to the heart of his community is a story of passion, dedication, and a deep connection to his roots.

Tito’s decision to leave the bustling centre of Apia back to his village of Vaitoomuli in Savaii in 2018, was fuelled by a desire to be closer to his family and to contribute to their village.

“A lot of my family were moving overseas, so I was thinking about moving back home to support my family,” he explained.

His mother and sisters were among the few relatives left in the village, and Tito saw a chance to make a real difference.

His father’s love for farming inspired Tito to look at agriculture as a potential avenue for community development. Along with other young, untitled men in the village, he formed a group, focusing on a communal approach to farming.

“The purpose of our group was to grow our produce by creating a shared plantation,” Tito said.

This endeavour was more than just a means to earn an income; it was about providing for their families and supporting the village.

The group, called the ‘Sonelau Development,’ started with a modest plot of land. They dedicated their first harvest to the village council as a part of their tautua – service to the community. This gesture showcased their commitment and led to the council granting them additional land, a significant step in their project.

However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. Developing the land required immense effort and resources.

Initially struggling with tools and equipment, Tito stumbled upon a solution online.

“I was scrolling on Facebook, and I saw the announcement of the DAP project,” he recalled.

This led the group to apply and successfully receive crucial support from Australia’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), which provided them with tools and a water tank, greatly facilitating their farming activities.

“It was practical things like chainsaws, mowers and hand tools – they were a huge help to us because we didn’t need to bother other people for their equipment,” said Tito.

The water tank was essential to the sustainability of their initiative.

“Some of the boys go and stay in the plantation for the week and every Saturday the whole group has to come together and go to the plantation as a group,” said Tito.  

“For a long time, we had to carry the water in buckets and drums far inland which took hours.  Now we can collect rainwater with the water tank. It makes life a lot easier.”

Today, the Sonelau Development spans over six acres, specialising in cash crops like taro and Samoan Ava.

“As of now we’ve currently planted about 60,000 taro stems and we have about 200 ava plants,” said Tito, a testament to their hard work and dedication.

The group's success has sparked interest in the wider community, inspiring others to seek support for other community-led projects.

Tito reflects on the journey with pride, especially noting the impact on the younger generation. The project has brought economic benefits and fostered cultural learning and a sense of unity within the community. “Tautua is a wonderful thing,” he said.

“The young boys in the group are interested and excited for a chance to serve and take on more responsibility. Our group has that passion to serve the community. In tautua, we all start from untitled men. We work as a team, and we serve not only the matai but the all family men. I am really proud to be a part of this community,” Tito said.

Tito’s story is a beacon of communal success and a reminder of the powerful changes that can occur when one follows their passion to serve their community. The Sonelau Development, from its humble beginnings, has grown into a symbol of hope and progress in Vaito’omuli.

The Australian High Commission Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a small grants program with the flexibility to work with communities on locally-led projects.  The next round of DAP opens on 22 December 2023.