Mr Raymond Savai'inaea left school and worked in a warehouse in Western Sydney for a few months before landing a job in insurance. In the insurance "space" he learned the discipline of financial management, and after years of service (and promotions), he bought a house for his family in Mount Druitt.
He told me in this interview that an invitation to a community forum changed the course of his life when he was asked to be the liaison officer at a primary school in his local area.
"All the Pasefika kids at the school told me they were Australians, not Samoan or Tongan or Maori"
After consultations with teachers and schools in the area, Mr Savai'inaea formed the 'Elevated Culture Foundation' with the specific aim of making Pasefika cultures and languages part of the children's education.
In 2023, the first 'Elevated Culture Festival' was held in Western Sydney with 13 schools taking part. Last year, there 40 schools and an extra day of the festival held in Liverpool.
Mr Savai'inaea says the 'Elevated Culture Festival' is inclusive.
"We want to showcase other children's dances - like Vietnamese, Lebanese, Bollywood, you know, anyone".
Mo nisi talafou ma ripoti, fa'afofoga i le SBS Samoan i le 'upega tafa'ilagi poo le SBS Radio app, pe asiasi i le Facebook SBS Samoan.
