About Us
First off, I'd like to thank MTDN and all it's sponsors and donors for allowing us to be part of this new, great network that is being launched.
Second, I'd like to thank everyone, including our Secret Angels that are sending donations straight to the school. Although you are not including your names, we DO appreciate your efforts and your gifts and will always thank you here on our MTDN site.
Tafesilafa'i is a non-profit organization dedicated to the youth in our community of Long Beach, California. Our new T.A.S.I. will benefit the at risk kids we all are dealing with in our neighborhoods and help keep our culture and language alive for our future generations. Right now we have 25 children attending our after school program and are expecting many more in the near future.
The Tafesilafa'i Festival has been providing free admission to anyone who wishes to attend. We also have several high energy competitions and performances each day. On Sunday, we serve lunch, give thanks and share our thoughts.
With the help of many volunteers our festival has grown to thousands of guests and many sponsors. For 3 days, from sun up past sun down we sing, dance and eat. The youth groups have gospel competitions as well as dance competitions. We love to share our Samoan culture and perform for all who attend. Last year our Festival was at the Aquarium of the Pacific and 128 of our children had a "Sleeping with the fish" experience they will never forget. After the Aquarium shut down to the public we were all treated to a private tour. We got to touch the sea animals and watch them being fed. Then we had food, special events and watched 3-D movies. Then 128 kids and some parents (ugh!) actually slept under the tanks with the fish! We woke up to breakfast then all got T-shirts that said we "slept with the fish". We will do this again this year and keep you posted.
P.S. Please come visit us this year!
Who We Are
Tafesilafa'i is an organic conversation between Samoan American groups wanting to make a difference in the world. It's an embodiment of Samoan cultural values.
Our Organization's Mission
To provide educational, charitable and social services to Samoan Americans and to promote and maintain the Samoan language, customs and traditions.
Who We Serve
We serve school age children and youth by providing a safe and organic community where they may grow and thrive. We serve the Samoan American community in Southern California by providing them with a place of their own, where their contributions to the diversity of our country are made.
Our Programs
Tafesilafa'i After School Initiative (T.A.S.I.) An after school program that provides a culturally nuanced pedagogy which flows from a specifically Samoan epistemology and theories of knowing.
Tafesilafa'i Festival - July 30 - Aug 2, 2009 This is the culmination of things Samoan. It is highly attended by youth groups from the faith community. It has served as a launching pad for dance troupes.
Artist in Residence: A partnership with American Samoa Community College, an expert in various artistic expressions of the Samoan culture is brought from Samoa to teach the children and the community in California.
Aoga Samoa: Teaches the basic Samoan alphabet to young children so they may benefit from the gift of code-switching.
Upcoming Events
Tafesilafa'i 2009 13th Annual Festival
July 30th thru Aug.2nd at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
The Tafesilafa'i festival is a fun filled weekend where your children get immersed, in addition to water, sharks and whale wonder, to that wonder of Samoan tribal dance and ceremonial expression of the Pacific Islands. Come to all or part of two evenings of Pese & Siva (song and dance), Fire Making, Warrior Pulls and more after the Aquarium closes. It is an all day powerhouse dance championship competition on Saturday until the sun goes down. And a community worship experience and spiritual dance movement by young people of Polynesia on Sunday. Come to the Aquarium of the Pacific and stay for the Tafesilafa'i Festival. As always, admission is Free.
Board of Directors
Tauti Aiono, Chairman
Calvin Tatupu
Maota Bahr
Enoka Alesana
Tuitogamatoe Edwina Toilolo
Arnold Paki Mulivanu
Board of Advisors
Eni H. Faleomavaega
Togiola Tulafono
Tuilaepa Malielegaoi Sailele
David J. Castenholz
Liki Tiatia
Liona Thompson
Gus Ah Kiong
Major Supporters and Sponsors
Chicken of the Sea
City of Long Beach - Special Events Department
Aquarium of the Pacific
Alpine Village
Second Samoan Congregational UCC
Katrina Hidalgo
| Year Founded : |
1997 |
| 501(c)(3) Ruling Year : |
2002 |
| Volunteers : |
151 |
| Annual Income : |
$175,384 |
| Amount Spent Fundraising : |
$21,835 |
What Sets Us Apart
Tafesilafa'i is an organic community with a unique epistemology and world view which encourages such values as peace, love, respect, personal responsibility and solidarity to name a few.
Objectives for This Fiscal Year
To improve the delivery of our message to the wider community, by increasing web presence, making our message concise and getting more people to pronounce Tafesilafa'i properly.
To host the "Long Boats in Long Beach" Fautasi race at the 2009 Tafesilafa'i Festival.
To increase the consciousness of the community at large to things Samoan.
Recent Accomplishments
Carved the first Samoan canoe in the US using a Canadian pine. Put together a sleep-over for 128 children at the Aquarium of the Pacific giving new meaning to the term "sleeping with the fish."
