Expressing cultural practices in everyday life is crucial for people’s health and wellbeing and for feeling connected to where we spend our time.
Faiaoga (teachers) are exploring what a toolkit for health and wellbeing will look like for Aoga Amata (Samoan ECEs) across Tāmaki Makaurau. Faiaoga and aiga (families) are putting forward their thoughts and perspectives on what form this toolkit will take, including support for fundamental movement skills (physical activity) and nutrition (healthy eating). Healthy Families Waitākere Pacific Systems Innovator Ruta Tai explains.
“What differentiates Ola Malosi from what already exists is its cultural relevance. Every element of this toolkit will be centred on fa’asamoa, the Samoan identity. Samoan people will see themselves reflected in its content and feel connected. Ola Malosi is something they’ll want to take part in and make use of because it’s Samoan at its core.”
Aoga Amata in Henderson – Taulapapa Leata Su’a, Grey Lynn – Mata’aga and Papakura – Tu Manu ae le Tu Logologo lend their time and expertise to developing Ola Malosi, providing information, insights and ideas to the Healthy Families Waitākere team. This information will then be themed and synthesised to form the prototype for Ola Malosi.
Ola Malosi is part of Tāfesilafa’i, a broader approach to support Aoga Amata to access and build knowledge, skills and a curriculum centred on the Samoan worldview.
