News and Events in 2004
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Thanks for coming to see us! So far this year many people have visited the Centre from all over the world. Sarah Weeks (left), from the British High Commission gave us a visit early in the year, and left us with a generous gift from the Commission. Pat Larsen spent a few weeks at the Centre to help with the Math Curriculum. Two members of the Marist Family, Brother Luis Sobrado and Brother Peter Rodney from Rome paid our Marist Family a visit. Professor Marjorie McColm, all the way from George Brown City College in Toronto, Ontario Canada, was here to help us with curriculum and also gave the staff a teacher in-service training during her short but helpful visit. Professor Ron Sluser, also from George Brown University in Toronto Canada, ran a Life Skills Coach Training Programme here, from 28 June to 2nd July, 2004. (See pictures below) Ron's report on the Centre: Click here Fa'afetai tele lava to all of you who have gone out of your way to help our Centre make it the best it can be!
The Life Skills Training group with Ron. That's Ron on the right in the front row.
Current Events: UMCSL is excited to announce that due to generous donor support we will be offering in 2004:
Recent Events: A Cultural Festival for children, youth and adults with disability in Savai'i. A day of fun and participation – art, dance, music and drama was held at UMCSL on 7th May.Su'a Francis Thomsen of British American Tobacco called in to visit us on Friday July 30. His generous donation to the Centre was very much appreciated by staff and students. Su'a Francis inspired the staff and students to whom he spoke in our Fale Samoa before making the presentation. Faafetai tele lava! Staff gathered at the Marist Brothers' House from Saturday July 31 to Sunday August 1st, for the first staff retreat organized since the inauguration of the Centre. The theme of the retreat was "Walking in the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat". The retreat was well attended , and the depth of participation by staff members was adequate testimony that this event has been a point of growth in the staff as individuals, and ourselves as a family working for the good of the students.
We were pleased to welcome Brothers Barry Burns (right) and Iulio Suaesi (centre) to the Centre on Friday August 13th. Br Barry is Provincial Superior of the Marist Brothers' New Zealand Province, which encompasses the Pacific Islands Region of the Marist Brothers, of which Br Iulio is Regional Superior. They had come primarily to visit the Brothers' community, but also to assess the progress of the special project at the centre. They were well pleased with the progress shown. This being Br Barry's last visit, we were able to present him with some special gifts produced at the Centre. New student
Picture shows Si'u formerly of SEUS (Special Education Unit - Savai'i), and now attending classes at the Marist Centre. We are happy to have him with us, and look forward to assisting him to further his education and grow in self confidence. A big thanks to the British High Commission and the UNDP Empowering Rural People with Disability project, who together are funding these new and exciting developments here at MCSL. Second Chance Work Experience. Our 60 Second Chance students went out on a four week work experience from October 18th, to November 12th. The students were placed at different companies in both Apia and Salelologa. They ranged from banks, service stations, wholesale depots, supermarkets, hardware stores, transport companies, to customs, police, Justice Department and Women's Affairs. We are extremely grateful to all these companies and Government Departments for accepting our students. Br James was able to visit the students and talk to their supervisors during the experience. By all accounts, our students made a good impact on their places of work, and it is pleasing to report that at this stage, 10 of them already have firm offers of employment after they graduate from the Centre. At a special school assembly upon their return to school, each of the Second Chance Students was given the chance to address the school, and many spoke highly of, and were grateful for their work experience.
Pictures show Phinoa with her fellow employees at Samoa Commercial Bank at Salelologa, while Don shows off his bread making skills at Tui ma Masi, also in Salelologa. Farewell and Thank You At the graduation ceremony, we were able to farewell and thank four great people associated with Marist Centre:
Vicrum Puri: Vita, as he is known here, is our Peace Corps I.T. teacher. He recently won the "Most Valuable Player" award at the Peace Corps 2004 awards held on November 27. (Mark, our other Peace Corps volunteer, won the "Staff Award"). Congratulations to you both, and Vic, thank you for two years of great service to Marist Centre and the community. Siaki Bartley: Siaki has been selected to receive a scholarship to attend N.U.S. and from there to attain a teaching certificate. Thanks for your work here Siaki, and all the best for your studies.
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