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Senior Citizen Week in Am Samoa celebrates “Age Out Loud”

[photo: AF]One of the activities yesterday — day-three of Senior Citizen Week in American Samoa — was dancing, of all types as seen in this photo with some senior citizens participating in a line dance at Su’igaula o le Atuvasa at Utulei Beach. Senior Citizen Week finishes tomorrow with a closing ceremony, starting with a 7:30a.m parade in Utulei.  [photo: AF]v
reporters@samoanews.com

A look at some of the many senior citizens participating in yesterday morning’s exercise at Su’igaula o le Atuvasa at Utulei Beach. The exercise event kicks off day-three of this week’s senior citizen week in American Samoa, as well as the national observance of the month of May as the “Older Americans Month” under this year’s theme, “Age Out Loud”.

Territorial Administration on Aging has been organizing events for senior citizen week. During Tuesday’s cabinet meeting TAOA director Evelyn Lili’o Satele says that activities began on Monday, with senior citizens talking with high school seniors, followed by variety of games on Tuesday — all at the TAOA compound in Pago Pago.

Events for yesterday and today then moved to Su’igaula o le Atuvasa where seniors showcased Samoan cooking and Samoan events. It’s also a chance for seniors to sell goods.

Lili’o-Satele said that tomorrow would be the closing ceremony, starting at 7:30a.m., with the parade, which usually commences in front of the Gov. Rex Lee Auditorium heading to Su’igaula o le Atuvasa, where the rest of the ceremony is held.

The TAOA director thanked cabinet members for their continued support of TAOA programs including their support of the senior citizen’s handicraft shop at the TAOA compound in Pago Pago.

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga called on his cabinet to attend tomorrow’s closing ceremony. He also reminded directors that if they have job openings, positions suitable for senior citizens, to look at bringing in at least two seniors to their agencies.

In proclaiming May as Older Americans Month, the governor noted that the territory includes “older Americans who richly contribute to our community” and that the territory is “committed to supporting older adults as they take charge of their health, explore new opportunities and activities, and focus on independence”.

According to the governor, “American Samoa can provide opportunities to enrich the lives of individuals of all ages” by — among other things — involving older adults in the redefinition of aging in our community; encouraging older adults to speak up for themselves and others; and providing opportunities for older adults to share their experiences.