Samoan language week

Upolu Pouono grew up as a Westie but decided in her 30s to move her life to Samoa.

But it did not match up to the level of fluency here in Samoa. It's just a bun'," she laughs. "I don't think he would've been surprised. Like for the boys at church to know the va (sacred relationship or space) between them and the girls. But here, everyone wants to know what you do and who you're with. If you bring lunch from home - expect to share it. "When I was little, I'd come to Samoa nearly every year with mum and dad and I loved it. "Moving here, I see where stuff like that doesn't happen. "I've been to Maccas once when I got a Big Mac combo - already a luxury in itself because of the cost here - and the girl at the counter was saying sorry there's no sauce because the shipment is late. "When someone says there's been a death in the family, everyone accepts it and they know that person will be away for a while because they're going to find money for the fa'alavelave (donating money to contribute to large occasions)." "The boys know they always eat last and they know their role in the church. "Take a look at the migration of our parents from Samoa and how they had to create their own communities there in the early 70s."