Samoan Heroes book

Samoan Heroes Book

Project 2014-09-21 22:56:32 +1200

I'm writing a book that is a collection of biographical portraits of achievers who have Samoan ancestry. It includes contemporary heroes like Duane 'The Rock' Johnson, Troy Polamalu, David Tua, Savage and Dr Semisi Maiai; historical figures like Tamasese, Salamasina and Lauaki; and legends like Sina, Tuna and Fata.

I'm writing the book for Pasifika teenagers for 3 reasons:

1. to encourage them to read more by providing reading material they can relate to, in language appealing to them. Pasifika young people have lower literacy levels than most groups in NZ, partly due to a shortage of reading material they can relate to.

2. inspire them with positive life stories of achievers they know, describing the challenges these figures went through and how they overcame them to become successful e.g. most people know Duane Johnson as one of the most recognisable figures on the planet. But did you know that he once had to sleep on mattresses found in a rubbish collection and had only $7 in his pocket?

3. to support the preservation of historical knowledge. As a teacher of NZ born Pasifika youth I find that most of our young people are proud of their cultural heritage but often know very little about the historical achievements and figures of significance in their cultural history.

Dr Malama Meleisea of the National University of Samoa is my main advisor/consultant and will be writing a foreword.

The funding is to cover an illustrator, interior designer, cover design, editor, e book conversion, and contribution to printing cost

Comments