Since the birth of Measina o Samoa in 2015 the mostly virtual business has expanded worldwide, offering more than one alternative for learning the Samoan language and culture.  

Measina offers an online store where Samoan authors, musicians and artists can sell their products. Offering Samoan online courses for all to learn Samoan language and culture and in person workshops for schools, businesses and organizations based on Samoan culture. 

The Samoan entrepreneur C.E.O of Measina o Samoa Morwenna Petaia shares that she grew up in Melbourne, Australia where she found it difficult to learn and understand the Samoan culture.  She articulated that there were not many Samoan programs where she was brought up and there weren’t any Samoan churches her and her family were linked to. 

As a result of that, her mother was often critiqued about her children not being able to see the “value of learning Samoan whilst living off the island". 

“Growing up in Australia we had little to no resources available to learn about Samoa or the culture. When I returned to Australia I wanted to make sure that my son had access to programs that I didn’t have so he could stay connected. After developing in person programs our overseas customers indicated they would like to access our programs too and so we took them online," said Petaia. 

Understanding that she had gone through this hurdle herself she found a way where she could help others living away from their motherland to be able to tap into their culture and language from the comfort of their homes.

Although the business is mostly flourishing now Ms. Petaia tells the Samoa Observer about the challenges of starting and running a business. 

“Running a business is always difficult and finding the motivation to continue when it really gets hard. Eating chocolate and remembering your purpose for starting the business helps a lot. We started an online store in 2015. In 2019 we introduced in person workshops.

“In 2020 we introduced playgroups and Siva Afi classes. Today we have moved almost our entire business online. We would love to see Measina become the place where anyone in the world can come to and learn about Samoa, our language, our culture, our history, our food and our Samoan businesses. Not everyone can go visit Samoa, but everyone can jump online and access our resources". 

Petaia then articulates her strive for digital citizenship to encourage local engagement; 

“Digital is the future. We can take this opportunity to learn and grow so that we can offer our people and country another income stream or we can miss out on an opportunity to give more options for our people to earn money for themselves and their families.

“My dream is that once the borders open, we can meet with N.U.S. [National University of Samoa] to discuss a possible partnership to bring Samoan language and cultural courses to our people living overseas. This way we are able to help Samoans living in Samoa and overseas…”