A 17-year-old from the village of Matautu and Lefaga has been appointed to the role of child advisor with the global non-profit group Child Rights Connect.

The Deaf Association of Samoa (DAS) announced the appointment of one of their Board Members Poka Tuifelasai in a press release issued by the association on Monday.

Child Rights Connect is an independent non-profit global network of child rights organisations that work to ensure the realisation of children’s rights through the UN human rights system. 

Based in Geneva, Switzerland the Child Rights Connect network is made up of over 85 multi-level organisations throughout the world. It provides technical assistance and capacity building to children’s rights defenders internationally, supporting organisations and advocates, including children, to identify appropriate entry points for advocacy within UN mechanisms.

Mr Tuifelasai said he had a lot to learn about his new role but is proud to represent Samoa in the global non-profit.

“I am proud to represent my country and my community,” he said in a statement.

“I have a lot to learn, but I am excited to be able to ensure the needs and experiences of children who are deaf and hard of hearing are represented in this international forum.”

Joining the local association as a member in early 2021, the D.A.S. team met him through outreach activities in partnership with Nuanua O Le Alofa’s COVID-19 response efforts. 

He was voted in as a D.A.S. Board Member in September last year during their annual general forum hosted in Asau, Savai’i.

The D.A.S. President Melissa Leota praised his appointment to the global non-profit, saying: “It is wonderful to see Poka represented in this important initiative.”

“As the only organisation in Samoa that is governed and led by persons who are deaf and hard of hearing, we work tirelessly to ensure increased representation and participation of persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing in international and regional mechanisms,” she said. 

“We are so happy to support Poka over the coming months as Samoa’s first child advisor with Child Rights Connect.”