Today the territory honors our senior citizens, the trailblazers of our society. The mothers and fathers with deep wisdom gained from decades of caring for their children, their extended families, working in the government, private sector, their villages, districts and churches.
It’s Senior Citizens Day and the celebration takes place at Suiga ula o le Atuvasa bright and early.
A parade from in front of Lee Auditorium to the beach starts things off from 8 am, then our elderly will sit down to breakfast before the official ceremony begins.
Elder Rev Pesaleli Poufa of the CCCAS in Atuu will give the invocation and hymns will be sung by our tama ma tina matutua.
The key note speaker is Governor Lolo Moliga.
As with previous celebrations, the Territorial Administration on Aging Office will present special senior awards.
The golden citizen award is prepared by Governor Lolo Moliga, the award for the oldest senior participant in the TAOA Program will be presented by the office of Congresswoman Aumua Amata, the Community Service Award for a senior citizen that participates in community service is presented by the Lions Club and the oldest employee in the Senior Citizens Community Employment Program of TAOA will be awarded by the Rotary Club.
All of the toomaga or centers where the senior citizens have their hot meals are closed today, but TAOA will be serving breakfast and lunch at Suiga ula for all of the participants.
TAOA asks families with elderly mothers and fathers in the program to bring their parents to the celebration for their meals.
After lunch, there’ll be entertainment then the elderly citizens will perform the taualuga.
TAOA Director Ale Tifimalae rounds off the program for Senior Citizens Day with remarks before the final prayer by Elder Rev, Pesaleli.
