In a beautiful gesture of love and respect, Tuvaluan youth from TACT paid a heartfelt visit to the elderly Tuvaluan community, known as the Te Ulusina Taumatua Group. The day was filled with lively cultural dances and the sharing of traditional Tuvaluan dishes over a shared lunch. TACT Coordinator, Sagaa Malua, shared just how meaningful these visits are.

  “It really speaks to who we are as a culture. ‘Alofa’—our deep love and hospitality—is everything. Welcoming guests and showing them that love is a big part of us. We started doing these visits last year, and it’s been amazing to see how much our young people have learned. For many of them, this was new, but now, they understand what it means and why it’s important.” 

Malua reflected on the importance of youth connecting with their elders. 

“There’s this fear young people sometimes feel, like there are all these expectations they have to live up to, but that’s not the case at all. These visits help them connect with the culture and understand the true essence of alofa. We love to give, we love to respect our elders, and today is a reflection of that. Our elders are the keepers of our traditions, and they deserve that respect.  

"I honestly think every young person in New Zealand should embrace these values. It’s something we can all share.”