‘Helping Samoans in a Samoan way’
‘‘A global village with a purpose’’
With a prayer and a stretch the walkers are off.
There’s music and laughter – a mix of Samoan and English chatter – as the flower-festooned group begins to walk around the lagoon.
Those that get tired sit by the water, listen to some tunes and cheer on the others but the party atmosphere belies a deadly serious mission.
They’re the Walking Samoans and they’re here to change the future.
A play on the names of comedy acts The Laughing Samoans and The Naked Samoans, the walking groups sprouting around the country are the very essence of grass-roots community initiative.
Started by Auckland’s Radio Samoa in 2013, 14 clusters have formed, encouraging Samoans to address the shorter life expectancies, higher rates of obesity and diabetes statistics that plague the Pasifika community.
Radio Samoa managing director Ane Ponifasio said the Samoan community liked to be together and the groups allowed them to do that in a healthy, positive way.
‘‘It’s a global Samoan village with a purpose.’’
In Porirua City, Siaosi Anamani is leading the initiative’s newest group, moon boot and all.
Doing his laps on crutches after an injury, Anamani said the group has been walking for a month and had proved hugely popular.
‘‘The thing about walking is that anybody can do it and you don’t need any special gear.’’
The key to getting Pasifika people moving was to make it fun and inclusive, according to Edwin Puni.
An Auckland elder, Puni became involved with the Walking Samoans through his health work and now he’s a convert.
The health statistics weigh heavily but it was up to the community to take responsibility for itself, Puni said.
‘‘Samoan people can help themselves in a Samoan way.’’
Thrilled to have Porirua City join the movement, Puni said the secret to galvanising the Samoan community into action was having leaders involved.
‘‘Porirua’s deputy mayor Izzy Ford is walking with them and that says a lot.’’
Back in Porirua, Ford - a former Black Fern - said her own family had suffered its share of health issues and she was delighted to be involved with the walking group.
‘‘If my presence is going to help get people out there then I’m in.’’
A stalwart of the city’s Pasifika community, she agreed that it had to take responsibility to battle the grim health statistics - particularly for elderly.
‘‘Having the grand kids out there with them is great.
‘‘We have to look after our elders, when they’re gone, they’re gone.’’