Creating MINOI for the Ola Malosi Initiative - Empowering Faiaoga and Tamaiti in West Auckland Aoga Amata

West Auckland, NZ – In an effort to nurture cultural identity and promote holistic wellbeing within Pacific early learning education, a new initiative called Ola Malosi has emerged. Meaning "to live or grow strong," Ola Malosi is dedicated to supporting faiaoga (teachers) in West Auckland aoga amata (early childhood centers) while also empowering tamaiti (children) to lead healthy and active lives.

Rooted in the Tāfesilafa’i movement, Ola Malosi addresses the need for culturally appropriate educational resources focusing on movement, nutrition, and communication. This initiative is a collaborative effort, bringing together various organizations including Tapasā, Healthy Families Waitākere, Heart Foundation NZ, Talking Matters, and SAASIA.

Ruta Tonumaivao emphasizes the importance of faiaoga in this endeavor. "The faiaoga are a key component to this galuega (work). The aim is to leverage their expertise in Sāmoan pedagogies to develop the resources, which will incorporate pese (songs) and culturally specific movements like siva (dance) and traditional games."

Tapasā, as a partner in the Ola Malosi initiative, plays a crucial role in creating Samoan-centric resources focused on movement for early childhood education (ECE) centers. Minoi is the name. Their platform will host this resource, which aim to keep faiaoga and their students engaged in physical activity while also fostering cultural connections.

"Our goal is to utilize Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) to keep our faiaoga and their students moving," explains Tapasā co-founder, Kayla Schwalger. "We are currently working on a resource titled 'MINIOI' (Samoan for move) to be uploaded to the platform, prototyping, and co-designing with churches to ensure cultural relevance."

Moreover, Ola Malosi seeks to enhance digital literacy among faiaoga, empowering them to utilize digital platforms effectively.

"The faiaoga underwent digital literacy training with Tāfesilafa’i, and now we’re looking to amplify those skills by leveraging a digital platform for these valuable resources," adds Ruta. "This also presents a chance for tamaiti to use digital devices and take charge of their own learning experiences."

The collaborative efforts of Ola Malosi partners underscore a commitment to empowering Pacific communities and preserving cultural heritage through early learning education. By creating culturally centric resources and embracing digital platforms, Ola Malosi aims to cultivate a generation of strong, healthy, and culturally connected tamaiti in West Auckland.