The Ship for World Youth took Pacific delegates to Japan, India, Oman and Singapore in early 2008, writes Tagata Pasifika reporter/director MARAMA PAPAU, of Tuvaluan descent, who was part of the Kiwi delegation which travelled with the group.
Japan, India, Oman, Singapore – four amazing countries which eleven lucky New Zealand youth got to see first hand earlier this year.
It was part of the Ship for World Youth (SWY) programme which brings together 250 youth from around the globe on a Japanese funded trip of a lifetime.
The New Zealand group was led by Samoan Uesilie Wesley Talaimanu and included Tagata Pasifika reporter/director Marama Papau. Also included were Tele’a Andrews, Maraea Nikora, David Jones, Tai Ahu, Mariana Whareaitu, Josh Bahlman, Nick Taylor, Deb Levy.
Other countries represented included the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu from the Oceania region.
One of the highlights for delegate, Marama Papau, was running a Pacific Dance Club. “We had 73 people from all over the world doing the (Samoan) sasa, the (Maori) haka and dancing to Te Vaka – it was amazing,” she tells SPASIFIK.
The next Ship for World Youth Programme will be coming to the
Pacific!
