Sala day

Happy end of the school year!!! I survived my first year as Miss Sala (and my first year as a teacher in general). December 11^th officially marked one year since swearing in, and therefore one year in Sili. I can’t believe I’ve lived here for a full year and that the school year is over. Only one year left!

The end of the school year was very busy although no teaching was involved. There were many ceremonies, exams, and cultural celebrations. Our Year 5 teacher at Sili Primary School unfortunately passed away. Mau was only 45 and her three children all attended our school, so that was very sad. I was involved with the funeral and quickly remembered that touching and kissing the frozen dead body is a big part of the ceremony here. Rest in Peace, Mau – hopefully I’ve experienced my only Samoan funerals.

Gorgeous Mau (in black and yellow) loved my dad's visit early this year.

The end of the school year in Samoa involves a large ceremony called Prize Giving. Students are ranked 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, etc. in their class and it’s announced in front of the whole village. I went to three different Prize Givings this year, which added to the busyness. First, my nieces had their ceremony at the high school. I also attended this last year on my first ever visit to Sili. It was nice to be able to watch two years in a row and see how much more comfortable I was this year. One of my niece’s got first place, so I was a proud Auntie! Sili Pre-School also had a Prize Giving, and I was the guest presenter for this one. The village was so happy to have me present the prizes and I was awarded with a pig at the end of it.

Sili's adorable graduating pre-schoolers!

Finally, it was time for my school’s Prize Giving on December 8^th! This event calls in the entire village and lasts the whole day. We teachers got matching puletasi’s (traditional Samoan outfits) made and each had to present our prizes. I presented prizes for the first place student in each of my ten classes. My prizes were extra special because I teach at-risk students, so they’ve never been called for first place in their lives. It was amazing to see how surprised they were and how happy their parents were as well! I presented all of my prizes while speaking Samoan, so I definitely felt like a member of the village. This time I was awarded multiple pigs, chickens, and cow parts. It was a fun way to end the year with my students and village. I’m going to miss my 8^th grade babies so much next year!

My Sili Primary School crew!

Speaking of ending the year with my village, this past Sunday was declared a holiday called Aso Sā Sala (Sarah’s Sunday). My church dedicated the entire day to me. The children ran the service: songs, bible readings, the sermon, the whole nine yards. Each family presented me with a Samoan gift to thank me for my work this year. I then got up and gave a two-page speech in Samoan! I worked pretty hard on the speech and I think my host parents nearly fainted hearing me speak that much Samoan (I am not good at Samoan). Aso Sā Sala was a huge success and I felt incredibly loved by my village! My niece gave a speech about me and started sobbing to the whole congregation. It’s wonderful to know that all of my time spent integrating this year really did work and pay off. I have my own holiday in Sili now!! I can’t imagine what my permanent departure next year will include.

Family selfie on Aso Sā Sala with all of my gifts.

In life outside of Sili, Group 88 swore in and officially moved to their sites and Group 86 departed and became Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. It’s weird being the oldest volunteers here now. We said goodbye to the 9 volunteers who remained in Group 86 and hello to the 20 newbies. Ten got placed on Savai’i, so I’m very excited to make new friends! It’s crazy that this time next year I will be departing for good. It was a fun end of the year in Sili and also with other volunteers. We celebrated Thanksgiving on a private beach swimming with turtles, so we’ve got Samoa figured out at this point. Our second year should be lots of fun and will most likely fly by!

Look at these Peace Corps Samoa pros with only one year left.

I’m currently in the airport awaiting my flight to AMERICA for the first time in 15 months!!!! Tofā Sāmoa, Talofa ‘Amerika!