OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – American Samoa
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Wednesday, September 12, 2007)
Contact: click here to email newsroom
(684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 731-8989

First Lady Mary Tulafono tells youth & women conference, ‘lead your child,’ it’s a
God-given responsibility

(UTULEI) – First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono today spoke at the Youth and Women’s Conference and told women leaders in government, church and the community to take their God-given responsibilities seriously and ‘lead your child’ to ensure that they do not turn to alcohol and drugs.

As chairperson of Ta’ita’itama, an offshoot of a national coalition leadership initiative made up of governor’s spouses called for ‘Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free,’ Mrs. Tulafono and her organization are working together with federal agencies, the Department of Human and Social Services and community groups and the local beverage vendors to prevent the use of alcohol by children of ages 9-15.

The First Lady, speaking at the newly remodeled H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei, told the audience at the conference, entitled “Working Together is the Pride of Life” (Tiu i Latasi), which was organized by Mrs. Leiataua Leuga Alaimoana Turner, director of the Department of Youth & Women’s Affairs, that American Samoa parents can no longer continue to lead and guide their children like they used to do. She said parents need to absorb the latest approach to raising and leading their children.

“Ta’ita’itama in Samoan is to lead you child and I need to add today's knowledge and understand the modern thinking, and also be in tune with my child's way of thinking if I want to perform ta'ita'itama in the best possible way,” said Mrs. Tulafono, who said her program objectives are to raise community awareness of the dangers of underage drinking, as well to mobilize the community to be involved in the fight against this plague.

The First Lady also said the Ta’ita’itama message is to increase the understanding of negative effect of alcohol and to strengthen resilience against negative peer pressure.

“We want to bring the community into this spectrum, and we sent letters to local alcohol distributors seeking their support to and to accept responsible advertising, which resulted in the roadside billboards that warns parents about the dangers of underage drinking,” said Mrs. Tulafono.

This same message is outlined in display boards in schools and she said the program will soon visit schools in the territory, including those in Manu'a. The First Lady said the response from the community so far has been overwhelming.
 “We want to show the children of American Samoa that the work that we will be doing is for them,” said Mrs. Tulafono. “However, all the talk, all the money and all the effort will come to nothing, to nil, if you and I, as parents fail to lead our children.”

The First Lady said, as a mother, she has also accepted the challenge by this call to duty.

“Matua, ta'ita'i lau tama! Parents, let’s lead our children. What it is saying to me is “Mother take your God-given responsibility seriously. Be an honest, kind, and an understanding leader of your child," said Mrs. Tulafono, who pointed out that the Ta’ita’itama philosophy is to lead by example, by counsel, with knowledge and by being vigilant. She said there is no better way to lead a child than by setting the example for them.

“Let’s be honest. If children see their parents drinking, what are they going to do? They are going to drink,” said the First Lady. “So, mothers, if you have beer in the refrigerator, what you need to do is put it away, so the kids don't see it.”

Mrs. Tulafono told the crowd to heed to the Ta’ita’itama message and talk to their children before they turn to alcohol and drugs.

“Mothers, talk to your child and then listen to what they have to say. In other words, communicate. That’s the message of our billboards,” said the First Lady. “I know that traditionally in Samoa, we don’t hold discussions with our children. But that is part of your challenge. Find ways to do it.” [Full text of First Lady’s speech is below]

The youth and women’s conference also brought together presenters from the American Samoa Coalition on Teenage Pregnancy Prevention, Crossroads Theatre for Youth and Governor Togiola Tulafono, who also spoke at the conference.

FULL TEXT OF FIRST LADY MARY ANN TULAFONO SPEECH

“Ta’ita’itama: Lead Your Child”
by First Lady Mrs. Mary Ann Tulafono
presented on September 12, 2007
H. Rex Lee Auditorium, Utulei, American Samoa

Ta’ita’itama is Samoan for ‘Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free.’ It is a coalition made up of Governor’s spouses, or First Ladies of States and Territories, working together with federal agencies, and private organizations.

The goal is to prevent the use of alcohol by children of ages 9-15. The initiative, founded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, with the help of the Robert Wood Foundation, has been joined by several federal agencies, including, no less a personage, than our nation’s First Lady, Laura Bush.

In American Samoa, I have assumed the responsibility of forming a committee, and partnering with the Department of Human and Social Services under the leadership of Mr. Talia Fa’afetai I’aulualo.

We started in May of last year. Our committee members came up with the name, Ta’ita’itama, because that is what the program wants to do: Lead your child.

Our objectives are:

• Raise the community’s awareness of the dangers of underage drinking
• Mobilize the community to be involved in planning the fight against this plague
• Increase understanding of the negative effects of alcohol, and to strengthen resiliency against negative peer pressure.

I am sure you have seen our billboards on the roadside with the message: “Talanoa i lau tama, ae le’i amata ona tago i le ava.” [Talk to you child before they start drinking.] That is phase one of our effort.

We want to get the message out. We try to make the most of opportunities such as this, with you today, to spread our message. We have gone to the media and asked their help as well.

In schools, there are display boards around campus, and flyers on bulletin boards. In a short while, I will be leading our committee visits to individual schools in our Territory to try and show the children that this work is for them.

The response of our community so far has been most overwhelming. I am touched by the concern of our high chiefs and leaders. Members of the Fono, and faifeau from various churches attend our town hall meetings and contribute and share in the spreading of the message.

In the Pago Pago meeting, we enjoyed a vivid presentation by the Katina Brothers. At our Tualauta meeting, Dr. Terry Cline from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration head office in Washington DC was in attendance. At the Leone meeting, Paramount Chief Tuitele took an active role in the discussions.

We appreciate the attendance of Dr. Cline and the generous funding of this program. It is an indication of the degree of importance the federal officials place on saving our youth from the scourge of alcohol.

Ladies, I can stand here all day and tell you about Ta’ita’itama and the efforts of the dedicated committee that I am fortunate to work with. You will be bored before I run out of things to say about Ta’ita’itama, for I personally have never been this excited about a government program. But all the talk, all the money, and all the efforts will come to nil, nothing, if you and I, as parents fail to lead, and stop, to ‘ta’ita’i lau tama.’

So, let me set aside the program literature, and simply talk to you as a mother. I, too, am challenged by the call: “Matua, ta’itai lau tama.” It is saying to me. Mother, take your God-given responsibility seriously. Be an honest, kind and understanding leader of your child.

Let me give you just a few points about the Ta’ita’itama philosophy:

Ta’ita’itama by example. Lead by Example. There is no better way to lead your child. Let’s be honest now. If they see their parents drink, they, too, will drink. So, mothers, if you have beer in the fridge, throw them away. If you must have alcohol in the house for some acceptable reason, keep them away from your children. Keep the door locked.

Taitaitama by counsel. Talanoa i lau tama, ae le i amata ona tago i le ava ma le tapa’a. (Talk to your child before they drink and smoke.)

My own mother used to do that. She would talk to us every day. Sometimes the talk accompanied by a little sasa. But that’s our Samoan way. I don’t recommend it now, because times are different, and the child abuse laws are strong.

Mothers, talk to your child. And then do the other part: Listen to your child. In other words – communicate. That’s the message of our roadside billboards. Stop! I know there’s an age difference. I know that traditionally in Samoa we don’t hold discussions with our kids about how to run their lives. That’s part of your challenge. Find ways to do it.

Ta’ita’itama with knowledge. Learn how to lead your child in the today’s Samoa. Take it from me. We cannot continue entirely as we used to. My mother raised me 30 plus years ago. I need to add today’s knowledge, understand the modern thinking, be in tune with my child’s way of thinking, if I want to perform ta’ita’itama in the best possible way.

And lastly, I beg of you. Be vigilant. Children are resourceful. They will find ways to hide their drinking or smoking or drugs. They have friends who will help them. It’s your job as leaders to know the troops, protect the troops, and lead them onto victory. Know where they are all the time. Know their situation. Vigilance will lead to victory.

That’s our goal in Ta’ita’itama. Victory.

We cannot do it alone. This fight needs all of us. After all, this is our home. It is where we live. It is where we raise our families. We need to be strong to protect it.

Please remember the plea of Ta’ita’itama: “Talanoa i lau tama, ae le’i amata ona tago i le ava.” Talk to your child before they start to drink.

Thank you for listening. Soifua.