PolyCafe.net - Lole Usoalii-Hickey

welcome plans by the Afi Pasefika Trust to organise a music and arts festival which caters for young people (see story titled ‘A heart for young people’ in Friday’s Samoa Observer). Behind the festival is award-winning musician, Lole Usoali’i. “The trust was set up because there was a need to reach the many at-risk youth in Samoa by using the Performing Arts, Culture and God,” she said. “It was set up by Samoans for Samoans because we understand as Samoans the needs of the youth.” What are those needs? Well one of them is a School of Performing Arts. “Performing arts is a vehicle for them to better their self esteem,” Ms Usoali’i said.