I am a first generation American born full-blooded Samoan woman. English is my second language as I was raised very traditionally and learned to speak both English and Samoan very well at a young age. I can speak, read and write both languages very well and many Samoans think that I was born and raised in Samoa because of the way I speak and my strong understanding of my native language. My American friends find it amazing how I can switch back and forth between languages without having to think about what I am going to say next.

I have just recently been paid for translation services yet I have translated most of my life teaching Sunday School in my local church where Samoan is main language used but not always spoken or understood by American born Samoan children. I also used my skills when my children started attending school by helping other Samoan parents by translating for them.

I am on the Board of Directors of our local Samoan Community Development Center serving the Pacific Island community in San Francisco, California. I created a health survey in both languages for our community so we can gather data about health care issues in our community. I also facilitated community meetings recently and last year on Stop the Violence using my skills in both languages to document concerns and possible solutions.

I am an Administrative Analyst full-time but am willing to translate part-time as these are difficult times and I have a family of four children.