Vanuatu fundraiser a booming success

VOICES 4 VANUATU PRESS RELEASE

1 April 2015

For Immediate Release

Headline: Vanuatu fundraiser a booming success

Apia Hash House Harriers sing Only Fools Rush In at the fundraiser Voices 4 Vanuatu on Tuesday night at Home Café in Lelata.

BEGINS

The Voices 4 Vanuatu fundraiser was loud and proud in Samoa with nearly $14,000 being donated for Cyclone Pam victims last night (Tuesday 31 March).

The open mic fundraiser raised $13,725 with a silent auction, raffle, sausage sizzle, cover charge and a taualuga. The event was organized by Suisala Mele Maualaivao, Nicola Mills, Faumuina Felolini Tafunai and Enid Westerlund, and hosted by Home Café in Lelata.

Spokeswoman Faumuina said the fundraiser was more like a celebration with around 200 people turning up with energy and generosity.

“It really was a magical event. For a start, so many businesses and individuals got behind us and donated prizes and goods for the night. We are incredibly grateful to them. Then everyone turned up to give and share of their talents.

“We were also very humbled by Salesa Nihmei, who is based in Samoa and told us of the hardship his village was facing back in Vanuatu,” said Faumuina.

Tupua Fred Wetzell and Apia Concrete Products received special mention on the night for his donation of $5000. To add to that, Vaasilifiti Moelagi Jackson returned her raffle prize, a Huawei smart phone donated by Digicel, to be auctioned and raised a further $200.

The event drew young singers such as Jorim-Paul Phillips, Franzsika and Benjamin to seasoned performers Tupua Fred Wetzell and Tuatagaloga Joe Annandale.

Poets and writers were also on form with author Lani Wendt Young and poet Lemau Motusaga Afamasaga performing among others. Brianna Fruean also read a poem about climate change.

One of the performance highlights was Vanuatuan Michael Taiki who mesmerized the crowd with his rap about social issues faced in the islands.

“We saw all this new talent on stage performing original works – it was inspiring and something we definitely want to see more of,” said Faumuina.

All the funds will now go to Samoa Red Cross Society, which will add it to the money Samoa has already raised, to give to the Cyclone Pam cause.

The organisers would like to thank: Audrey Brown-Pereira, Charlie Westerlund, Digicel, Farmer Joe’s, Fatu Feu’u, Home Café, Janet’s, Krush, Lani Wendt Young, Magik FM, Manamea Art, Maotamaa Beach Fales, Milani Caffe, Misiluki Day Spa, On the Rocks Bar, Palusami Restaurant, Pele Project, R&J Mackenzie, Roko’s Restaurant, Roseberg Clinic, Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, Stevensons at Manase, Vanya Taulealo Gallery, Wendy Percival and Women in Business Development.

ENDS

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