Empowering Pacific Island Youth: The To'omalatai Family Foundation's Mission to Inspire and Uplift
Apia, Samoa (August 2024) – Founder Talia To'omalatai-Thompson, along with her parents Vern and Louisa Thompson and Pausa Solomua, proudly delivered 100 backpacks filled with school supplies to Falefitu Elementary School and Lalomanu Primary School in Samoa.
The To’omalatai Family Foundation (TFF), led by a passionate Pasifika woman, is dedicated to uplifting the Pacific Islander community through Sports, Entertainment, and Media. With a focus on education, TFF strives to inspire the younger generations by providing scholarships, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities to foster their growth and success.
Guided by this mission, Thompson envisioned the Pasifika Pack Project as a way to elevate the educational experience for students in Samoa. Generous donations from a Hawaiian philanthropist and the Lui, Siufanua, and Egan families in January 2024 provided the funding needed to bring her vision to life. Once the financials were secured, Thompson and her mother, Louisa, meticulously sourced the ideal school supplies for the initiative.Tusitala Productions CEO, Geoff Lee, ensured the project ran smoothly, expediting the production and printing of 100 custom backpacks in time for their August 9th deadline. On the eve of their trip, Thompson’s trusted circle came together to pack each bag with care.
Choosing the first recipient schools was a deeply personal decision for Thompson. Falefitu Elementary School in Matautu-tai, Apia, represents her family’s ancestral roots, making it a natural starting point. The second recipient, Lalomanu Primary School, honors her father’s Fuataga family, a name held in high esteem in Lalomanu.
Hopefully, this first drop inspires others to contribute and help elevate the learning experience on the islands. I’m excited to keep coming back and giving without any expectation of return.
The energy in the classrooms was transformative as students received the backpacks with excitement and gratitude. Thompson intentionally directed the donations to Year 1 students, believing that planting a seed of enthusiasm for learning early on would spark a lifelong pursuit of education. She emphasized that TFF is committed to being a consistent source of support for these students as they strive for academic success.
“I wanted to start a domino effect,” said Thompson. “Hopefully, this first drop inspires others to contribute and help elevate the learning experience on the islands. I’m excited to keep coming back and giving without any expectation of return.”
The first Pasifika Pack Project was a resounding success, embodying TFF’s hope to inspire youth to pursue higher education and, ultimately, careers in Sports, Entertainment, and Media.
Thompson extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this project and encourages others to join the effort to empower the next generation of Pacific Islander leaders.