Local firm Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.) has thrown its support behind the annual Samoa Observer Short Story Competition which strives to boost children’s reading and writing skills.

The S.S.A.B. Chief Executive Officer, Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai, highlighted the importance of literacy and pointed out the similarities between the goals of the short story competition and the vision of her company to develop literacy and education in Samoa. 

“Literacy is known to be the most helpful tool in every child’s education as it allows them the opportunity to fully understand the contents of their subjects taught at school,” Tofilau said in a statement issued by the company. 

The S.S.A.B. was the major sponsor of the writing competition when it was first introduced a decade ago according to the C.E.O.

Last year’s short story competition recorded the highest number of entries from schools in Savai’i and Upolu for both Samoan and English and S.S.A.B. is hoping that there will be more entries from all the primary schools and colleges this year.

Tofilau plans to use media outlets across the board to promote this short story writing competition, saying she wants a high number of entries and participation from all students in both primary schools and colleges in both Upolu and Savai’i.

“It would be awesome if this year’s entries exceed last year’s highly-recorded entries,” Tofilau said in the statement.

“I will continue to support this writing competition as I believe in the power of having good reading and writing skills.”

Besides the involvement of S.S.A.B. with literacy, the company is connected to projects supporting education from early childhood level right through to tertiary level.

These include the recent Samoa College Career Day, science fairs and Champ of Champs inter-school athletics.

The company also continues to implement monthly promotions and specials for reading books and educational resources for the parents, especially the children.

“It’s not a complete commitment if we only promote the importance of literacy and we don’t have a promotion and specials to go along with it” says Tofilau.

The Coordinator of this year’s short story competition, Mrs Jane Va’afusuaga acknowledged the ongoing support of Tofilau and her company.

“Thank you so much to the C.E.O. Tofilau for S.S.A.B.’s consistent and continued generous sponsorship of the Samoa Observer Tusitala Story Competition for the last 10 years,” she said.

“In 2021 S.S.A.B. will again provide trophies, vouchers and prizes for the first, second and third place winners for each class level, Year 4 – 13 which is a great incentive for students to enter the competition.”

Tofilau also congratulated the management and staff of Samoa Observer for reaching the 10 years anniversary of the short story writing competition.

“I am very proud that Samoa Observer is commemorating 10 years of its Short Story Writing competition for the children of Samoa,” she said.

“My congratulations to Muliaga Jean Malifa and Savea Sano Malifa for their hearts to initiate such a beneficial initiative for the children and also their dedication to executing it the past ten (10) years.

“I am humbled that S.S.A.B. supported this great initiative right from its initiation to date.”

Tofilau also acknowledged the work of Marj Moores in coordinating the Short Story Writing Competition for many years and said she is looking forward to working with Jane Va’afusuaga on the coordination of this year’s competition.

S.S.A.B. is also grateful to companies and partners offering their helping hand to support the Samoa Observer Short Story Writing Competition.