VSA in Samoa

VSA volunteer profiles

Ken Wong – Scientific Research Adviser

Ken Wong works as a Scientific Research Adviser with the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa. He completes his assignment in February 2014.

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About Samoa

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Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa, is situated in the South Pacific approximately halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. Around three-quarters of its 220,000 population live on the main island of Upolu; the rest live on the neighbouring island of Savaii or one of the seven small islets.

The traditional Samoan way, the fa’a Samoa, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics where family is all important and elders highly respected. Each village is made up of extended families that are represented on the village council by a chief, (matai). The more western style parliamentary system in Samoa is highly influenced by traditional social systems and the family, civic and political duties performed by the matai at village level.  The country is predominately Christian.

Economy

Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labour force with exports that include coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra.  Subsistence agriculture supports around 75 per cent of the population. The economy is also dependent on development aid, overseas family remittances, fishing, and an expanding tourism sector that accounted for 25 per cent of GDP in 2007. Much of Samoa’s economy operates informally, with only 18 per cent of the population formally employed in a salaried position.

Samoa sits squarely in the cyclone belt, highly vulnerable to devastating storms, hit badly in 1990 and 1991 by two cyclones, and the tsunami in 2009 that devastated many of its tourist resorts and connecting roads.

Development challenges

Many Samoans live a subsistence lifestyle and sell surplus produce at local markets. Strengthening these rural livelihoods and infrastructure to support agricultural development and economic growth are challenges for economic development. Support for improving small and medium size businesses and the quality of agricultural education can lead to improved agricultural practices and production, and increased job and business opportunities.

Living and working in Samoa

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Language and culture

VSA has a mix of short and longer term assignments in Samoa. On two year assignments gaining the local language is important.  We provide basic language training at the start of assignments with follow-ups if necessary during the assignment. 
 
Understanding local customs (fa’asamoa) is vital to a successful assignment. Samoa is a deeply religious country. Most meetings, even in a professional setting, will have an element of religion to them depending on who is leading the organisation. The matai system, or Samoan chiefly system that governs the aiga potopoto (extended family) is an important part of Samoan culture. Most Samoans live communally with fanua (land) as an integral part of the extended family. Samoans are generally very generous as the people hold reciprocity highly as it confirms that they will never ‘lack’ anything. 

Housing and living conditions

We provide volunteers with basic, furnished accommodation. Volunteers will have access to telephones, internet, restaurants, public transport systems, 24-hour power although power outages are a regular occurrence. Volunteer housing may have gas facilities for cooking. Samoa has the same electrical plug socket and voltage as New Zealand.  Mains water supply is fine for drinking. But you can boil water or use a purifier or drink bottled water if you prefer.

Dress standards

Samoa has a big expatriate community and most are used to seeing western ways of dressing, with some locals dressing very similarly. However, it is important to remember that you are a volunteer with a different motivation for living and working in Samoa than most expatriates. We encourage our volunteers to dress conservatively.  Loose fitting, light, cotton clothing is best. Dresses, skirts and t-shirts are commonly worn – sleeveless is acceptable. The traditional clothing for Samoan women is the puletasi (matching top and ankle length lavalava). Volunteers can purchase these outfits from the markets or most clothing or fabric shops in town. The puletasi can also be tailor made very cheaply by local tailors. It is advisable not to expose skin above the knee, especially when attending traditional events. For men, choose long pants, knee-length shorts and short-sleeved shirts. Traditonal wear for men is the ie faitaga or ie sulu (a wrap around lavalava) and island shirt. The ie faitaga and island shirts can be purchased at the market or most shops in town or made to measure at clothing shops in town.

Health

Precautionary measures are recommended, such as insect repellent and long sleeves/ trousers in the evening if outside and a mosquito net if you are staying in villages. Skin infections can develop quickly so have a good supply of plasters, antibiotic cream and antibiotics. There are public hospitals in both Upolu and Savaii complete with a qualified dentist. The private hospital Medcen is based in Apia and is a recognised health provider by our insurers. Although you will have adequate health care in-country you will need to be responsible for managing your own health while on assignment.

Safety

We provide all selected volunteers with a thorough security briefing and specific local issues are covered prior to your departure. In general, there are no problems moving around. Land ownership is complex in Samoa and strangers cannot wander freely through private or empty land without first seeking permission.  Take care when walking alone and avoid this at night. 

Banking and finances

Banks are found in Apia - Westpac, ANZ, and the Bank of the South Pacific.  You can open a local bank account once you arrive in Samoa where monthly living allowances are paid into. You will find ATM/Quickcash machines in town with an increasing number of shops also having EFTPOS machines.  Some hotels/guest houses accept foreign credit cards. Local currency is the tala. Visit XE.com for current exchange rates.

Cell phones and email

Samoa has two cellular providers, Samoa Tel and Digicel. Coverage is generally good within urban areas but fades quickly as you move to rural locations. The New Zealand Telecom XT network and Vodafone roam to Samoa, but be careful as charges are at overseas rates and high telephone bills can quickly add up.

Internet connection is very fast. Internet cafes are available in town with wireless ‘hotspots’ around businesses and hospitality complexes.