Keynote Address
Pacific ECD Summit for Frontliners – Commissioner, SFESA
Theme: Resilience Begins in Early Childhood
Talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings.
It is with deep respect and humility that I stand before you today—on behalf of the Government of Samoa, and in my capacity as Commissioner of the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA)—to deliver this keynote at the inaugural Pacific Early Childhood Development (ECD) Summit for Frontliners.
I acknowledge the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development for its leadership, our regional partners and development agencies for their support, and most importantly—our frontliners: the caregivers, teachers, social workers, village leaders, and responders who are the first line of protection in the lives of our children.
Samoa is proud to champion Early Childhood Development in the region. This summit is a reflection of that commitment—and of our belief that true systems change begins by listening. Today is not simply about policies or frameworks. It is about hearing the lived realities of those who serve on the ground and co-designing the journey forward with them—not for them.
SFESA is proud to be part of that journey.
We are not only first responders—we are educators, advocates, and partners in prevention. Our work sits at the intersection of safety, community resilience, and early learning. Because we believe this simple truth: resilience begins in early childhood.
ECD is not only about nurturing minds—it is about building safety, readiness, and protection from the earliest years. Children aged six and under are among the most vulnerable in any crisis—be it cyclone, fire, flood, or social disruption. Yet they are too often left out of preparedness strategies.
If we are serious about resilience, we must start where learning begins: in the home, in the aoga amata, in churches, and in every fale where a child grows.SFESA has embraced this responsibility by embedding child-centred
approaches into our work:
Delivering fire and emergency safety programs in preschools and primary schools
Running evacuation drills that include children and their caregivers
Developing culturally relevant, age-appropriate safety materials
And investing in a mobile “Smokehouse” designed specifically for young children to experience simulated fire safety learning during school visits
These are not symbolic gestures—they are strategic interventions that build safety into our children’s everyday environments.
Our partnerships are equally crucial. We work alongside the Ministry of Education, Sui o Nuu, Sui o Tamaitai, village councils, churches, and early childhood educators to make preparedness a way of life—not a seasonal campaign.
Our work aligns with Pathways 4 and 5 of the Pacific Regional ECD Strategy: strengthening child protection and resilience, and building inclusive, responsive systems and services for children and families. Through the District Development Programme (DDP), we support outreach that puts families first—ensuring safety is not just a message, but a mindset. Samoa’s commitment to allocate 20% of DDP funding toward GEDSI initiatives underscores our shared responsibility to protect the most vulnerable.
Let me share why this matters.
In 2023, during one of our awareness sessions at Psalms Daycare, children were taught about fire risks and how to respond in emergencies. Soon after, during a Sunday Mass at Mulivai Cathedral, a young child—just under four years old—saw someone collapse. He was there with his aunty and, without hesitation, used her phone to call 911. Our ambulance responded immediately. I was part of that emergency call and only later learned it was this young child—calm, prepared, and just four years old—who had made the call. Because he had been taught what to do. That moment embodies everything we are gathered here for.
This is why ECD matters.
This is why our frontliners matter. And this is why resilience must begin early—not in theory, but in practice. So today, as we meet under this shared vision, I urge each of us to:
Embed emergency preparedness into all early childhood settings
Equip our caregivers and educators with the tools and training they need
Invest in child-focused safety year-round, across sectors and across borders
Because the safety of our children is not just the responsibility of their parents or teachers—it is a collective duty. When we prepare them today, we build a stronger, safer, and more resilient Blue Pacific tomorrow.
Fa’afetai tele lava. Soifua ma ia manuia
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