SAFETY DAY FOR CHILDREN

The Progressive Agriculture Community Safety Day for Children will be held tomorrow, June 22 from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the ASCC gymnasium.

The annual event is hosted by the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Agriculture Community and Natural Resources (Land Grant Program), Agriculture Extension Service- Farm Safety Program, and sponsored internationally by various organizations.

The goal of the program is to teach youngsters, aged 8-13, the importance of safety around the house and in the community, whether it is with food, animals, and/or tools.

The deadline to register is today, but according to program coordinator Lefua Amio Mavaega-Luvu, exceptions will be made, especially for those who live in far-out villages and have problems with transportation.

"We won't turn anyone away. We never do," said Mavaega-Luvu during a telephone interview with Samoa News yesterday.

She said although they try to take a maximum of 250 kids, the number of participants every year has surpassed that figure "but we always take them."

While the primary target audience is 8-13 year olds, however younger children will be accepted, and special sessions in the Wellness Center will be hosted specifically for them.

Tomorrow's guest speaker will be Program Director Aufa'i Apulu Ropeti Areta.

Special presentations will be made by representatives from the AS-EPA and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

In addition to lectures, there will be hands-on learning activities that will address topics pertaining to fire safety, first aid, electrical safety, food safety, animal safety, and tool safety.

With the kids staying home and roaming around during school break, Safety Day is a great way to educate them on how to get through the summer months safe and sound.

More information can be obtained by contacting Mavaega-Luvu at 699-1394/1575

BELOVED FEMALE PREACHER PASSES AWAY

Rev. Dr. Fa’avaina Tiumalu Tufele Malemo Tilo, passed away peacefully last Friday at the LBJ Hospital. She was 85.

Tilo, with her late husband Pastor Taafulisia Kalepo Tilo, co-founded the Voice of Christ Full Gospel Church in San Francisco in 1965.

And, it was in 1968 when the couple moved to American Samoa and started their ministry, which they literally took to the streets. The public worship sessions at the Fagatogo Marketplace became a common occurrence and went on for years, resulting in many people converting and becoming believers.

Mrs. Tilo was known to many — especially family members — as simply "Aunty Ina."

"She was a good woman. A woman of God. A great role model for our young women today," said her niece.

Aunty Ina had a hand in other things besides building her church. She was a founder and first president of the Womens’ Aglow, an organization that offered solace and became a fellowship haven for women of the territory, women of all ages and religious denominations.

She took on the helm as president of the Voice of Christ Full Gospel Church after her husband's passing in 2003.

In addition to her ministry, Aunty Ina was an educator, teaching in schools across the Fagaloa area.

Aunty Ina and her husband had seven children. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, June 25 at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei, with her final service set for Monday at the Lighthouse Temple, VOC Full Gospel Church in Aua at 8 a.m.

Samoa News offers our sincerest condolences to the Tilo children and family.