Meet the lovely Grace Vespa Pauga, our December winner for the Live It Nation poetry contest. Grace hails from the villages of Sinamoga & Vaimoso and is the daughter of Shirley Pauga and Rod Greed. She will be graduating in April 2022 with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the USP Alafua Campus with plans of doing her Masters degree thereafter. Grace’s poem 'Family' captures this past years hardships, triumphs, hope and love within all of our families. It's an inspirational piece that reminds all of us that family should always come first. “Family” by Grace Vespa Pauga “The winds bellow and furrow against the trees as the sun rises upon the shores of paradise. The tides come and go, changes are unpredictable yet they lead me to be wise. As the days flash by, I am faced with the uncertainty of not knowing if the changes caused by the pandemic will continue to feed my sorrow. Over the past year the changes have been evident and rather relentless. From losing a job to being unemployed with nothing to do and faced with no way to pay my dues. In the hopes of trying to help, it became a mission to do what was needed to show support. From waking up to clean, cook and focus on personal goals with the extra effort. I have ditched desks and computers for broom and mops, tossed out documents for rags to dust and shine. I have been given more time to reflect on my wellbeing, mental health and feelings. The tossing of waves in the ocean shows the rising motion of what can be achieved with will power and hard work. Determination to make a mark in my life, motivation to walk with pride in this ever changing ride we call Samoan life. Being raised in the rich culture and traditions belts a song of heritage and the looming future. A member of the family who can serve is a willing servant to care and provide. The next step was to go back to education to gain a better footstep into the unknown with inspiration….” (complete poem is on our website)

Live It Nation would like to give a big fa'amalo to Lumepa-Rose Young for being the Robert Louis Stevenson School Dux 2021. Not only is she a spokesperson and model for our initiatives she truly exemplifies Live It Nation’s way to live! Congratulations Lumepa-Rose, your future will be very bright! Photography by @samoaobserver

Meet Java Esera from the village of Vaimoso (front row, far left). She is our November 2021 winner for the Live It Nation Poetry Contest. Java is the grand daughter of the late Namulaulu Dr. Iakopo Esera and Tusiata Esera. She is a medical student at The National University of Samoa. Her incredible poem reflects her deep respect for the fa’a-Samoa, to serve and attend to loved ones with a humble spirit. In her own words, Java says “I didn’t just want to write about me. I wanted to highlight every girl walking in the same shoes, because this is our reality. Service is our culture. Our beautiful culture that allows us to live a relatively peaceful existence. Respect and obedience are some of the most solid foundations we're brought up with.” She goes on to say “the term ‘listening salve’ emphasizes how many conflicts may be solved by doing just that, by holding back and hearing each other out. Asking are you okay?” This year’s first winner captured our hearts with her words of healing and inspiration. “The Listening Salve” by Java Esera “This past year, I have done as I have always done, To help my family - arguably my nation, all in one. How so? By listening to those in charge. Simple as it sounds, she worked like a charm. I have served as daughter, sister, and confidante. Day in, day out During lockdown, follow the regulations. At home, obey parents’ exhortations. And at work, comply with administration. Wash hands, wash the dishes, watch your team. And repeat. Mundane as it seems, simply listening is a service unseen. Lend an ear, and perform with the finger snap. Snap, snap, snap! Smiling & patient, take it with a salt grain. Your spine stays straight, through strife & pain. In times of pandemic & global catastrophe, We see "heroes" as action figures, amid the calamity. Thinking only a special few can save humanity – When in fact – we all make an impact. If we realized the power of attending to others, That a listening salve could heal & recover World, Nation, Village, Home… What is a hero? Dutiful daughter, dear sister, My girl – just know YOU keep the lights on.” @javajaav

CALLING ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF SAMOA!!! Enter the Live It Nation POETRY CONTEST by submitting an original poem for a chance to be one (1) of two (2) winners. Each winner will receive the following: • $1000 tala • McDonald’s restaurant voucher of $250 tala • Your poem will be published Submit your original poem on the following topic: “How you spent your time over the past year to impact your family, village and/or nation in a positive manner.” Conditions: • Must be a university student • Must reside in Samoa • ONE entry only per person Entry Details: • Email poem to [email protected] or • DM poem to Live It Nation Facebook, Instagram or Twitter • Must include the following with your entry: Your Name, Village, University, and Phone Number • Winners to be announced on November 22nd and December 20th • Winning poems will be published on our platforms, website, and local newspaper

CALLING ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF SAMOA!!! Enter the Live It Nation POETRY CONTEST by submitting an original poem for a chance to be one (1) of two (2) winners. Each winner will receive the following: • $1000 tala • McDonald’s restaurant voucher of $250 tala • Your poem will be published Submit your original poem on the following topic: “How you spent your time over the past year to impact your family, village and/or nation in a positive manner.” Conditions: • Must be a university student • Must reside in Samoa • ONE entry only per person Entry Details: • Email poem to [email protected] or • DM poem to Live It Nation Facebook, Instagram or Twitter • Must include the following with your entry: Your Name, Village, University, and Phone Number • Winners to be announced on November 22nd and December 20th • Winning poems will be published on our platforms, website, and local newspaper

Live It Nation TEAMS UP with AUTHORS for NEW BOOK DROP!!! First author up is Kelly Young, with the launch of her first book in her new series: Love Begins: A Pacific Prince. Isle of Heirs Series! Click link in bio to purchase the ebook or print version on Amazon. A portion of the proceeds of this novel will go to Live It Naton Literacy Projects. “Love Begins is a fun, adventurous read, rich in culture and thoroughly full of action and drama, where a would-be-prince finds his way back to a stolen home and a lost crown. The Isle of Heirs is a place where the past collides with the present and defines the future. As things unfold a beautiful researcher finds herself in the middle of a battle for a kingdom. The question is who will win and find out where Love Begins?” We are teaming up with authors around the globe to promote our mission and their creative, entertaining and inspiring works. Live It Nation is all about celebrating literacy & literature. That is why we are excited to introduce this new literacy project. Throughout the year we will spotlight authors and their literary works. We are interested in all creative works by aspiring, new and established authors. We are particularly interested in pieces that are close to the heart of our mission, highlighting diverse cultural aspects of society, health & sports, and the importance of our beautiful environment.

“Life is like the ocean 🌊 it can be calm or still, and rough or rigid, but in the end, it is always beautiful.” - author unknown 📸 : @clarklittle

Whether it’s spending time with family, working in your garden or maybe even learning a new skill, whatever it is, enjoy yourself. Be kind to yourself. Slow down and take stock of your own mental health. Take care of yourself, so you can be there for others. #LiveItNation #LXINation #MentalHealthMatters Photography: @davidclumpner Location: Manono Island, Samoa, South Pacific

Open the door Take a peek outside Waterfalls are falling And the tides are high! #Samoa #BeautifulSamoa #Polynesia #Waterfalls #Beaches #LXI #LXINation #LiveItNation PC: @charlesnetzler

Literacy and LXI Nation go together like peanut butter & jam, coconut & cream, and reading & writing! Live It Nation is always thinking about Literacy. You should too!

Live It Nation ❤s Nature! So it has been hard to learn that the world’s wild populations of fish, reptiles, and amphibians have declined by an average of nearly 70 percent in just the last 50 years. And with the extreme climate conditions like the winter storms in a usually sweltering South Texas that cold stunned thousands of turtles recently, our love of nature grows stronger. Let's do all we can to love and protect those who can't protect themselves. Environmentalism brings us together to save Earth! #beanevironmetalist 📷 : @clarklittle

“Live it Nation is full of hope and optimism for the upcoming new year. Our eyes are on the horizon, seeking the rising sun. We know that is where innovation, cultural engagement and inspiration resides. Happy New Year and may your troubles be behind you and your best lay ahead of you.” - Live it Nation Family 📷 : PCTG