Ministry for Pacific Peoples — Cook Islands Māori Language Week

Miriama Levasa-Otto

Talofa lava, I’m Miriama. I was blessed to join VSA on 14 February 2022 – it’s not a hard day to remember because it’s Valentine’s Day! I am locally recruited, born and raised in Samoa. I’m a single mother of six children. Three live overseas and three live and cuddle here with me in Samoa.

I spent seven years working alongside VSA volunteers at Loto Taumafai School for Children with Disabilities and gained a lot of capacity knowledge from these volunteers. My experiences there encouraged me to strive for the high standards I hold myself to now.

My role at VSA is a challenging position compared with where I was before. I love it as these great challenges have expanded my learning experience and skills, while making a significant contribution to the success of the organisation.

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