Almost a year after Antonina Lilomaiava won the Miss American Samoa title, the young beauty from Aua is teaming up with her sponsor — Samoa Stationery and Books (SSAB) — and Miss American Samoa Incorporated (M.A.S.I.) to make good on one of their shared goals. That is, to promote literacy in the territory.

Last week, the reigning Miss American Samoa, chaperoned by M.A.S.I. president Simeafou Imo, traveled to Samoa to get the ball rolling on ways to acquire books and educational reading materials for the Pediatric Ward at the LBJ Medical Center in Fagaalu.

The brief visit to the independent state netted positive results.

According to Imo, before they could move on anything, it was necessary for her and Lilomaiava to seek advice from Fiti Leung Wai, the Chief Executive Officer of SSAB, a Samoa-based stationery and book supply chain, with a local branch in Tafuna.

(SSAB Pago is where Lilomaiava worked prior to winning the Miss American Samoa title, and the company was her sponsor for the pageant).

Imo said their trip to Apia last week was to get more information from Leung Wai so M.A.S.I. can completely understand and get a better idea on how the project at the LBJ Medical Center will be carried out and maintained, even after Lilomaiava relinquishes her title later this year.

“We needed confirmation from SSAB about their role in the project because promoting literacy is what the company is all about,” Imo explained.

Lilomaiava and M.A.S.I. anticipate setting up a library or ‘reading corner’ in the LBJ’s Pediatric Ward so kids can have access to reading material during their stay at the hospital.

Currently, the Pediatric Ward only features a toy section, which was a project that the previous Miss American Samoa titleholder worked on during her reign.

The goal is to have books available to the kids so that in addition to playing, they can also learn and expand their reading skills.

M.A.S.I. and Lilomaiava share the belief that reading is the most powerful key in education and therefore, it is only fitting that books be made available in a place that is frequented by the territory’s youngest population.

When contacted for comments yesterday, Lilomaiava told Samoa News that SSAB has indicated their willingness to support the project, through a donation of books and bookshelves that will be presented to the LBJ Hospital later this summer.

Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Sialega Mauga is also on board. According to Imo, during a brief conversation with Lemanu this past weekend, the Lt. Governor was informed of the project and he expressed his support, telling Imo that he has a collection of books that he is willing to donate to the cause.

Imo told Samoa News that generally, sponsors of Miss American Samoa contestants have the option of assisting their winning girl throughout the course of her yearlong reign.

“We don’t take that option away from the sponsors,” Imo said, adding that promoting literacy is something SSAB is always advocating for.

She explained that hosting a “Literacy Week” was something that was suggested by SSAB but because local schools are currently on summer break, getting students together for the program would be difficult.

“So we came up with the idea to expand the toy section at the LBJ Pediatric Ward, by adding reading material and that’s where it all started,” Imo shared.

“We are thankful to SSAB and company officials for agreeing to help us bring this plan to reality,” she concluded.

The donation will include reading materials printed in both the English and Samoan languages.

While in Apia, Lilomaiava and Imo, accompanied by SSAB CEO Leung Wai, had the chance to visit the National Hospital in Moto’otua, which — thanks to SSAB — features a library for kids inside the Pediatric Ward.