Youth Pastor, Televine Masefau, of Samoa’s L.M.S. Pasefika Church is using badminton to restore faith in her community’s next generation.
Televine Masefau, Front row on the right side.
With the resources provided by BWF Shuttle Time, Televine is promoting health and wellbeing and helping children as young as five years find a new lease of life. Every week, she organises a schedule of activities, which is rife with BWF Shuttle Time sessions.
Through her church, she works with her husband to approach the children in need and invites them to take part in her church.
“I arrange a schedule for the children so we can all learn some time management skills, so sessions don’t clash and it keeps them out of trouble”, says Televina.
For many of them, anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol were their main source of entertainment while a lack of formal education limits their ability to learn.
It was the fantastic coverage of BWF Shuttle Time on a local news channel in Samoa that inspired Televina to approach the sport’s national governing body which eventually lead to an influx of badminton equipment to support her cause.
Youngsters taking part in BWF Shuttle Time with Televine in Samoa
Televine currently looks after fifteen under-13s and eighteen under-21s by providing shelter, food and ‘life-lessons’ when they need it the most.
“I have the biggest heart for these kids. I want to see them getting out of trouble and see the bigger picture for them and make a better life for themselves”
“Badminton allows me to do this. They can’t get enough of the sport and I can see a bright future ahead for many of them”, says Televine.
After strengthening connections with Samoa Badminton Federation, three of the youngsters were invited to attend a one-week training camp in China with Team Samoa who were out there already, preparing for the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games.
Three months later and Televine has signed all the youngsters up to volunteer at the Pacific Games. Every morning, the young workforce arrive at the venue in Apia, Samoa, and uplift the spirits of players, officials and spectators.
If anyone needs an incredible volunteer workforce, we can recommend a few… ⬇️Check out the energy and spirit from our local volunteers this morning, on day 2 at the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games 🎉
Posted by Badminton Oceania on Monday, July 8, 2019
Local volunteers at the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games
With many of the roles allocated on the field of play and line judging, the players can get up, close and personal to the players and see what could be in store for their own future.
Viti Levu Polou is one of the youngsters who found badminton through Televine and attended the week’s training in China. At 26-years-old, he supports Televine with her daily sessions, helping the kids learn more about the sport while aspiring to play more himself too.
“I really like coaching the kids and I hope I can learn more about the sport so I can continue to get better”, says Pulou.
Televine intends to continue her guidance with the youngsters through the sport of badminton, with added resources like uniforms and shuttlecocks provided by the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games.
