HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS: Queer Coco a.k.a Saipele Vaimoso
SAIPELE VAIMOSO
Podcast/ Radio Show Host & Personality
Samoan
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Tell us a little bit about yourself: where were you born and raised and what ethnicity are you?
I am Saipele Vaimoso (29) and I’m Samoan. My mum comes from the villages of Vaisala, Sasatele and Falealili; my dad is from Vaimoso, Faleapuna and Falefa. I was born in Otahuhu, South Auckland and grew up in Otara. Brisbane, Australia is where I’ve resided since I was 15 years old.
For those who don't know about Queer Coco podcast, what is it and why did you start it?
I started the Queer Coco Podcast to tell my own story as a Gay Samoan man and it has now evolved into platform for other Queer Pasifika & Maori people to tell theirs. I would like the Podcast to be a resource for not only our QPM Youth and our allies but also for parents.
You have particularly spoken about your experience growing up as a Queer Person in the Pacific Community.…more
Living Alone During Lockdown
“I’m not lonely but I am alone,” says JaeD Victor, describing what it’s like during the Covid-19 lockdown period while living alone.
The Samoan broadcaster has been living by himself for ten years so he’s use to having his own space. But he says the self-isolation period during the Covid-19 crisis has been different, mainly because his public movements are limited and he’s forced to work from home.
“I thought I was going to enjoy working from home but the unfortunate thing is when you’re home you have so many distractions. You stop work and go and have a nap or go into the kitchen. What I’ve come to realize under these circumstances is how self sufficient you become when you live by yourself.”
The 55-year-old has type 2 diabetes and knows the importance of the level 4 self isolation period. He says experiencing it alone can be challenging.
“I don’t have any visitors and because you live alone during these restrictions, you can sometimes feel your friends and family don’t realize you’re here.…more
A PACIFIC CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE AND WAYS THEY CAN COPE DURING THE COVID 19 CRISIS
For three Fijian youngsters - Zion, Israel and Jeda’iah - there’s been a silver lining during the Covid-19 lock down period - no school.
Although the response from the Pickering-Thakathaka siblings maybe typical for a child, they are all aware of the importance of the actions taken by the New Zealand Government.
“We understand why this is happening,” says 12-year-old Israel “It’s to keep us safe and to stop us from getting the disease and stop others from spreading it.”
The siblings live in a three-bedroom Auckland home with their 11-month-old brother, their parents, an Aunt and their grandmother. The last four weeks have been a routine of prayer, home schooling and daily chores. They’ve even managed to paint a fence and tidy up their grandmother’s garden. Their situation is similar to many other Pacific children who share a home with their extended family. The siblings say they only need to look at their little brother and their grandmother to fully understand the people they’re trying to protect.
“I do feel frustrated at times,” says 15-year-old Zion.…more
Do's and Don'ts in your Island Bubble
Mama Secretary goes through the Alert Level 3 conditions with the Kuki Airani dancers she's got on lockdown with her.
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Watch Mamas Lockdown here
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CREDITS:
Shot, Directed, Edited and acted by Rongomai
FB: Ron-Go
YouTube: Rongomai Taiapa-Aporo
Insta: rongo___
HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - Blackbutterfly Group
JANICE ELIA, TAPU & JOE FUIAVA
Mental Health Initiative; Blackbutterfly Group
Samoan
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We are a group of Pasifika people from a Samoan and Tongan heritage. We were born and raised in New Zealand and migrated to Brisbane Australia. Tapu and Janice are sisters and both work in specialised community mental health services. Joe and Tapu are married, and Joe has been working with children in crisis for many years. We’re a close-knit family that enjoys working together towards a common goal.
Where did the idea for the Blackbutterfly initiative come from?
The idea of Blackbutterfly was born out of need. Amongst ourselves, we would often have deep discussions about the challenges we were experiencing personally but also what we saw happening to our family and friends. We basically got tired of talking and began asking ourselves what can we do about it?
Utilising the traditional process of a talanoa, it was obvious to us that this was the most suitable mechanism for our people.…more
CORONAVIRUS WEEK 6 - COVID19 PACIFIC UPDATE
The CoconetTV ongoing Pacific Islands updates for our community in Aotearoa and the Pacific region.
To catch up on updates from Week 1 click here , Week 2 click here , Week 3 click here, Week 4 click here & Week 5 click here
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End of week round up -
NEW ZEALAND - The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that NZ Is on lockdown Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm on Mon 27th April. The country will then move into a strict Alert level 3 for a further two weeks.
- People instructed to stay home in their bubble other than for essential personal movement – including to go to work, school if they have to or for local recreation.
- Physical distancing of two metres outside home (including on public transport), or one metre in controlled environments like schools and workplaces.…more
MAMAS LOCKDOWN
See how it all goes down when these Kuki dancers have to go into lockdown with Mama!
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Watch Part Two here
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CREDITS:
Shot, Directed, Edited and acted by Rongomai
FB: Ron-Go
YouTube: Rongomai Taiapa-Aporo
Insta: rongo___
PACIFIC FRONTLINE LENS: GP AIMS TO KEEP PACIFIC COVID19 INFECTIONS DOWN
Samoan GP Dr Maryann Heather has been working extremely long hours on the frontline during the Covid-19 crisis, tending to patients at the South Seas Clinic in Otara.
What motivates Dr Heather is knowing she is helping the Pasifika community during these troubling times. She also takes comfort that the Pasifika community has the lowest infection rate of Covid-19 in New Zealand. To date, less than five percent of those infected have been Pacific Peoples and Dr Heather wants to keep those numbers down.
“Our Pasifika community is one of the most vulnerable. If this virus hits our community and the numbers start to rise, then it would be extremely hard. Many families would be affected.”
At home, Dr Heather lives with nine family members, including her 80-year-old aunt and her young nieces and nephews. She takes extra care each day when she goes to work,-ensuring she is wearing all the protective gear and has minimal physical contact with her patients and other staff on the frontline.…more
An Island guide to the 2 metre rule - Social distancing Tips
#SocialDistancingTips! How far is 2 meters really? How much washing of ourselves do we still need to do?
Your papu does not have to be boring! Here's some handy tips for social distancing now that we're back in Alert Level three!
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Click here for Covid-19 information translations in all Pasifika languages
Click this link for an interactive map on where to find a vaccination clinic near you here in New Zealand https://karawhiua.nz/all-clinics/
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Video Credits:
Director/Editor - Twayne Laumua
Actors - Darryl Laumua & Iosefa Enari
#CocoLockdown - Best Poly videos of the Week - Part2
Once again our Poly peeps have been letting their creativity flow & keeping us entertained online while we've been on lockdown.
Here's some of the videos that caught our eye this week!
Check out more Best Poly Videos of the week here
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Compiled by Adrian Mcbirney