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DYWA offers new courses this month for women and local youth

Local youth and women who are interested in learning how to produce elei or wanting to upgrade their cooking skills are invited to participate in the new training courses being offered by the Department of Youth and Women's Affairs later this month.

 

A cooking class for aspiring chefs is set to begin next Monday, September 23 at the Old Election Office in Utulei. The classes will be held every Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m - 2 p.m. over a period of eight weeks, at which time the participants who successfully complete the program will be recognized with certificates during a special graduation ceremony.

 

Just two weeks ago, 50 locals — including 38 adults and 12 teens —completed the 2nd culinary training program, also spearheaded by DYWA.

 

The cooking classes are taught by Malia A. Lemalu, a graduate of the AS Culinary Academy which was a program funded by the National Emergency Grant.

 

A total of 30 slots are available for the next session and registration is free of charge.

 

The following Monday, on Sept. 30, an elei class is set to kick off at the DYWA main office on the second floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei. There are 20 slots available for the class which will be held twice a week and taught by Tau Collins.

 

Registration for this program is also open and free of charge.

 

DYWA Acting Director Pa'u Roy Taito Ausage said in an initial interview with Samoa News that these trainings are important for skill development, and they give the program participants something they can add to their lifetime success stories.

 

He said the women who participate in these programs, as well as all other programs offered by DYWA, not only learn a new skill, but they also increase their self esteem. In addition, it also gives them the opportunity to socialize with women from all different walks of life.

 

"That is the goal of our office," he said, "to bring women and youth together to better themselves and elevate their self esteem, in addition to giving them moments to highlight their successes."

 

In addition to cooking and elei classes, DYWA has recently offered sewing classes, and the Women on Wheels (WOW) program which is an introductory course for women who want to learn the basics of diagnosing automobile problems.

 

Currently, DYWA is involved in the Fatuga Samoa project which DYWA Deputy Director Tapumanaia Galu Satele said "is aimed at preserving the art of writing original Samoan songs based on cultural history, legends, fables and oral stories passed down from generation to generation."

 

The Fatuga Samoa Program is aired live on KVZK-TV channel 2 every week.

 

More information on DYWA programs can be obtained by calling Ramona Toeaina at 633-2835 or emailing Pa'u directly at roy.ausage@dywa.as.gov