Ale ta ta Port Vila - Class of 08 farewell

Written by Mathew Lemisio
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Members of the Samoan community in Port Vila pictured here with some of us who will be leaving Vanuatu at the end of this month. Standing from l-r: Mrs and Mr Small, Sala Perive Tanuvasa, James Campbell, Toleafoa Douglas Creevy, Seuili Alvin Tuala and wife Hannah, Janet Faerua and Apele. Sitting from left: Sefo Ainuu, Cecily Faasau, Wendy Pogi, Phaedra Valoia, Gillian Malielegaoi, Mathew Lemisio and Elemesi Schmidt Latu. In less than two weeks from now, Friday the 28th of November to be exact, the academic year at the University of the South Pacific will officially come to an end. For many USP students, namely those who will be graduating next month, it is also the end of a chapter that encapsulates the life of a university student. It’s a chapter that is dedicated to the personal, financial and social struggles and challenges any student go through during his or her studies. It’s also a chapter that captures the most fun and enjoyable memories that one will get to live and treasure for the rest of time. It is also a chapter that painted the most painful and hurtful memories and lessons that one has to learn from and then move on as a much better student and person once they leave those campus’ gates. At the USP’s law school in Vanuatu, about 40 students from around the region fall in that category. You know those who are about to close that chapter of their lives and soon start writing, or more like living a new one. Of that 40 eight are Samoans. And they were officially bid farewell by members of the Samoan community in Port Vila and the Emalus Samoan Students Association (ESSA) last weekend in a prayer service and luncheon. Veteran Samoan academia, Sala Perive Tanuvasa who now plies his trade in Vanuatu led the gathering in a brief prayer service. His sermon was based on the importance for students and anyone to distinguish the difference between working hard and working smart. He drew an analogy about a hard working man who spent long hours clearing his land using a blunt knife. Where as a smart man would sharpen the knife and will spend lesser hours doing the same thing. “It’s one thing working hard,” Sala told the gathering, “but it’s another working smart.” He blessed those leaving ESSA and the Samoan community at the end of the year and wishes all students the best in their exams and future. A luncheon was followed entertainment provided by ESSA members from different year and also members of the Samoan community. Gifts, provided by ESSA were then presented to the leavers something “to remember us by” according to ESSA president, Pose Toma. “Personally, I feel that our association will take a bit of time to get use to the fact that you won’t be here again next year,” Mr Toma said. “We will definitely miss your experience in terms of life general here in Vanuatu and most importantly the guidance you’ve provided the association this year.” This author had the honours of replying on behalf of the leavers. Although we were considered the old heads in the association this year, we felt that ESSA is in good hands heading into next year. Our only advice was for all members to give their support to Mr Toma and his new executive like we all did this year. We also stated that the memories we gathered in our four years here in Emalus are amongst some of the fondest ones in our entire lives and we will live to treasure them for the rest of our lives. We ended by wishing ESSA and the Samoan community the best of lucks in the future and hope ESSA will continue to go stronger as an association and a core part of the Samoan community here in Vanuatu. Comments (1) Subscribe to this comment's feed Ale ta ta written by Cecily. Fa'asau, November 27, 2008 Oh nothing much just wanted to come and post a heart for you people... since most of us we'll be leaving today - HOOOOORRRRRAAAAYYYY... but then I realised that they don't have "HEARTS" on Newsline... bwhahahaha lol* Malo le tusi tusi ma le fai ripoti... fekoai akili lii Pres vaai le first lot e kuu ai lou suafa....f PDLP... Ale ta ta laia Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 November 2008 )

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