Sincerely... ....My father..... ..... An ordinary Samoan boy, who grew up in the small island of Apolima Tai, WSamoa. Sincerely beloved; My father Vaasiliifiti Dr. Faleniu Asaua... A gifted boy who later, and unknown to many become the first (FSM)/Fiji school of medicine graduate to be tested by Otago med: school (NZ)... based on FSM academic standards. ..... now .... The Island of Apolima Tai and.... I would call it the..... 'Old Apolima Tai'.... known to many because "O Apolima sa fai ma o'lo o Samoa." Surrounded by deep blue sea, cut away from all civilisation and burden with numerous spiritual beliefs was the simple nature of where he grew up... He recalled back then; Once he spotted a plane flew by and wondered "O fea ea e nonofo ai tagata??.. e... ta fia lele atu ia ise va'alele!! ... atonu, e iai lava le aso." His teenage years at secondary level gave him an idea of where he was headed and what exactly he wanted to accomplish in life. He topped the whole level at 4th form, including all the other years he spent within the Apia schools. He continued this procedure and topped the first quarter of his lower 5th form level until..... .....

One day...... An unknown tragedy struck his family. An illness struck his father and eventually,...... sadly took him away in early July. His mother was poor, the youngest sister was only 4, [She did not know much about this sudden death]. His only brother and two other sisters were all young; ......All so very young. From there, reality had to be faced there was no one else to pay his school fees...... Let alone provide for their family. He said "Ua leai seisi tate toe fa'amoemoe iai"... .......Later he'd often sit at his fathers grave late at night, and shed emotions and talked, to him as though he were alive. At times he would repeatedly ask "pe aisea ea ua e alu ai ae tu'u a'u"... His days out of school were spent endlessly..... ..... in search for a job. He said "I was searching for any type of job" to assist with the family's basic needs. He was now looked upon by his younger siblings as, the head of the family..... After about 6 months of roaming arround circles...... He eventually found a job from which he started off as an office boy and was later promoted to a position of a filing clerk at the 'Agricultural department'. ...BUT... It was not until this day, ..... [and I would still describe it as] ....

One fine day that ......7 vacancies were advertised for students to take up the 6 years Medical course in Fiji..... With only a letter of recommendation from the 'Director of the Agricultural department' he was eventually approved by the PSC to study medicine. The other 6 students who were granted with this scholarship opportunity were 5th form School:C and 6th form leaving certificate holders.... Faleniu said "given the chance to take medicine I then realise I was on a mission.... because this was my only chance; ...

My only chance for my mother, my younger siblings and myself for a better life... Ua i o'u lima le matou lumana'i" Faleniu graduated in 1966 from the 'Fiji School of Medicine or (FSM) after 6 years' -being the 1st and still is the only, Gold Medalist holder for Samoa for [Preventative Medicine] -1st and only Samoan to win the silver lawson cup awarded for best all round student of the year. -1st and only Samoan to be awarded the Head student prize Faleniu recalled his graduation; He said the hall was packed with students and their families and friends, Some came from far distance.... and as he stood there all alone gazing arround this whole commotion of excitement he suddenly felt the presence of his father "ASAUA".... that somewhere out there in the midst of the crowd his father was watching him and..... watching him very proudly!!!...

Faleniu returned to Samoa had a family of his own and worked at Tuasivi and Moto'otua hospital until he was later offered a government scholarship to study 'Pathology'.... A specialization field with a duration of 5 years and known to be one of the toughest fields in medicine. He attended Otago medical school. He completed the 5 year course within 4 years. [In the year 1974] He became the first Fiji school of medicine graduate, to be tested by Otago medical school (NZ) based on academic standards...... If Faleniu was unable to successfully complete and pass the pathology course... then... FSM/ Fiji school of medicine graduates would be inelligible to enter and understudy pathology at Otago medical school or in New Zealand. ..... Otago medical school in those years..... was known to be New Zealands top medical school.... Faleniu returned to Samoa and there he was then recognized as Samoa's first and only consultant pathologist, ......ever... in the history of the nation...... Till this day there is still no other qualified Samoan pathologist. ....Sincerely beloved;......

My father.... Once said... " I was once a child left alone to face the world with nothing!!... but nothing.... Nothing in this world eliminated my dreams ..... for one day .... ..........One day .... and there will be a day and THEN YOU WILL SEE..... Some of the few highlights of his life: -holds the Vaasiliifiti title from Safua his mothers village at Savaii. -A lay preacher or a'oa'o fesoasoani for the LMS or Congregational christian church of Samoa. -member of the "Dr's medical association" who was president in 1994 and took the same position in previous years. -President Samoa's "Cancer Society" -Worked as a Pathologist at the Auckland hospital before he took up his next post at the University of the South Pacific.- -Was "Director of commnunity services" at the University of the South Pacific for many years. -A previous, part time lecturer at the Fiji school of medicine and also an external examiner.

Present: -Vaasilifiti Dr. Faleniu Asaua holds the post of the (Consultant Pathologist) / "Director of Laboratry Health Services" at Moto'otua hospital. -Still married to Tenimane Aiono Manogiamanu Asaua of (Vaiala and Fasitoo Uta); Together they have 6 children. Sadly one son passed away .......and also has 3 grandchildren and 1 on the way. His special interest is researching upon the different causes of cancer apart from that he is an out-door person who is into camps, singing, dancing, fishing, family picnics, and many more. A very sociable person, outgoing and is very encouraging in every way. Also he is very interested to know anyone or any student who is willing to understudy Pathology in future. On the other hand his eldest grandchild Ruby-Meihelani, at a very young age shows a lot of great interest to become like him in the near future. Faleniu is much loved by his 3 grandchildren, 1 on the way. Plus his children. Dr Silaulelei Asaua (Specialize inObstertrician and Gynaecology) MedCen hosp & Siutaka Siua (Pharmacists) Dr Mafumaiala Asaua (Specialize inGastroentorology) Tupua Tamasese hosp: Lomitusi and Violet Asaua (Both Electrical engineers) USA. Faletoese Asaua (accountant currently the 'Finance Manager for Rothmans')and wife Faatautau Asaua Helen Asaua (graduate student at present; & anticipates to do post graduate )