25 August 2019, Apia Samoa. The Peace Corp worldwide initiative, Girls Leading Our World Samoa (GLOW SAMOA) in collaboration with Samoa Stationery and Books ( SSAB) held their executive and advisory board planning retreat at the Taumeasina Island Resort yesterday.
UN Women Coordinator and Representative in Samoa Papalii Mele Maualaivao said that the planning was crucial to the success of this years GLOW event which nrings over 90 young girls from across Upolu and Savaii for a 4 day conference.
“SSAB generously donated the venue and accommodation allowing for brainstorming, planning, and preparation for the upcoming 7th Girls Leading Our World Conference 2019″‘ said Papalii.
The UN Coordinator who has been involved with the initiative since 2012 says that Tofilau offers much more than sponsorship funding to the GLOW women’s empowerment initiative.
“She has been a constant donor and contributor to GLOW, but we are also grateful for her contribution in her role as advisor”.
GLOW is a worldwide Peace Corps initiative that seeks to empower women and girls through holding workshops, conferences, and camps.
“This conference will enable girls to further develop leadership skills and confidence while becoming catalysts of change within their own lives and communities”.
The conference scheduled for 3-6 October at Leauvaa aims to bring together over 90 girls and 24 female counterparts – the largest number of participants than any previous conference.
The girls are selected from villages across Upolu, Savai’i and Manono and will gather in Lea’uva’a for the four-day conference.
Papalii Mele added that GLOW and GLOW clubs of young women in Samoa are supported by the Peace Corps Samoa volunteers.
“The hard work and dedication of Peace Corps Samoa volunteers has kept GLOW and GLOW Clubs thriving over the years.”
The conference is made possible through the funding and support of U.N. Women, Samoa Stationery and Books (SSAB), Sunrise Chinese Restaurant, Apollo Cinemas, MANA Care Products, Eveni and Siva Afi Printing.
For more information on GLOW Samoa and to keep tabs on the conference, check out their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GLOWSamoa and Instagram: @SamoaGLOW.
