The Samoa Early Learning and Asia Foundation launched Samoa’s First 10-Book Series on Saturday at the Apia Harvest Center church at Saleufi. 

An author and initiator of the series, Enid Westerlund said it was important for the children and students of Samoa to learn how to read and write. She has witnessed most students do not know how to read. 

"The Samoa Early Learning Foundation (S.E.L.F) was established early this year.  But the foundation and the work for it started in 2006, it was a long time ago. It's a charitable organisation to help kids learn especially in reading. We have a lot of children who cannot read, and that's the sad reality at the moment," she said.

"More than 90 per cent of the kids that come to our program cannot read a three or four-letter word. This starts from Year One all the way to Form Five, the sad reality for our education system. One of the inspirations behind the early learning is my sister Elizabeth Westerlund, she is the youngest out of all of us the girls. 

"She failed school. She failed primary school and she never made it to UPY. I couldn't believe she did not know what an essay was, her reading was terrible, after attending the most expensive college in Samoa."

Her sister is now very successful. In an exciting development for the Samoan literary community, Tatou Faitau or Let’s Read Samoa’s first Bilingual Series for children by Asia Foundation in partnership with Samoa Early Learning Foundation was a great success. 

This book series is part of a 10,000-book electronic library from across Asia and the Pacific, translated into 60 languages, and was officially launched through a series of read-aloud campaigns and events around Upolu and Savaii from the 23 to 27 September. 

Twelve schools welcomed donations of the series as part of the road shows. More than 4000 students in these schools can now read this series and more books will be donated in the coming months.

This collaborative effort brings together the talents of twelve local authors and illustrators. Each book in the series is designed to resonate with Samoan children, featuring stories that reflect their everyday lives, cultural practices and unique environment. The series showcases the work of twelve local authors and illustrators including Enid Westerlund, Gloriana Roebeck, Jane Va’afusuaga, Matauaina Isaako, Teenah Rasch, Veronicca Passi, Czarina Leaumoana, Irae Tanuvasa, Rovimalina Teni, Siufaga Kerslake, Tiana Elijah and Wong Chiu Tuipoloa.

Each creative brings a personal connection to the stories they’ve helped create, ensuring that the books are not only educational but also deeply meaningful to Samoan and Pacifica communities.

The vision for this series is to cultivate a generation of readers, and inspire artists and creatives who are not only literate but also deeply connected to their culture. The books aim to provide children with stories they can see themselves in, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.

“My work is always about serving Samoa. It is at the heart of everything that I do. I thank my parents Ricky and Louisa Westerlund for instilling in me ethics, hard work and striving for excellence in all that I do. Viia le Alii. I thank and congratulate everyone who helped make this dream a reality especially my colleague Krystelle Lavaki from Asia Foundation. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and grateful to our talented local authors and illustrators involved in this series”, she added. 

“It’s not just about creating books it is inspiring our children, and empowering our community through storytelling. We hope to have a second book series and share more stories.”