Pacific children deserve literacy resources that celebrate their culture, not erase it. Le Au Aoga teaches ABCs through avocados, booby birds, and coconuts—because representation matters.

The Moment Everything Changed

It was a regular afternoon at our homework center here in Samoa. I was sitting with a group of my little ones, working through their alphabet book together. Bright eyes, eager faces, ready to learn.

We got to the letter J.

“J is for Jelly,” the book said, with a picture of a wobbly dessert on a plate.

“What’s jelly?” one of them asked.

I opened my mouth to explain and… stopped. How do I describe jelly to a child who’s never seen it? Never tasted it? It’s wobbly, but not like… what? It’s sweet, but made from… how do I explain gelatin?

I stumbled through an explanation that left them more confused than before. Meanwhile, outside our window, mango trees were heavy with fruit. Coconuts were waiting to be opened. The ocean was full of fish they could name in Samoan.

These children weren’t struggling because they couldn’t learn. They were struggling because the materials told them that their world—their beautiful, rich world—didn’t count.

That day changed everything for me. And it’s why Le Au Aoga exists.

The Problem We’re Not Talking About

Walk into most early learning centers, browse the alphabet books at the library, scroll through preschool resources online. What do you see?

Apples. Snow. Mittens. Barns. Jelly. Maple leaves.

These aren’t bad things. But for Samoan children learning their letters in Samoa, Tonga, Auckland, or Salt Lake City—these images send a quiet message: The world that matters, the world worth learning about, doesn’t look like yours.

Our children are learning their ABCs in someone else’s language, someone else’s culture, someone else’s world.

And before you think this is just about being “sensitive” or “politically correct,” let me be clear: This has real educational costs.

What We’re Really Losing

When our children don’t see themselves in their learning materials, three things happen:

First, they disengage. Why would you be excited about learning when nothing in the lesson connects to your life? When every page feels like it’s for someone else? When you have to ask what half the pictures even are?

Second, they get an implicit message about value. If your food, your environment, your family’s way of life never appears in “educational” materials, what does that teach you? That your culture is something you leave at the classroom door. That there’s “school knowledge” (valuable) and “home knowledge” (not academic).

Third, they face a false choice. Be academically successful OR be culturally proud. Assimilate OR fall behind.

This is a choice our children should never have to make.

Our kids can climb coconut trees AND recognize letters. They can perform siva Samoa AND develop phonemic awareness. They can honor their grandparents’ stories AND become strong readers.

In fact, research shows they do BETTER when learning builds on their cultural foundation rather than ignoring it.

A Different Approach: Culture AS the Curriculum

This is why we created Le Au Aoga.

Le Au Aoga means “the team who go to school” in Samoan—because that’s what we are. A team. Your aiga, our community, all working together to help our children succeed. And that’s exactly what we’re building—literacy education that lights up our children’s faces instead of dimming their cultural pride.

In our FREE 5-day literacy pack launching this Friday, you won’t find jelly or bears or snow.

Instead:

• A is for Avocado (not Apple)—because Ali the Avocado knows what grows in our yards
• B is for Booby Bird (not Bear)—because Benny knows our beaches and skies
• C is for Coconut (not Cat)—because Cara understands the heart of Pacific life
• D is for Dancing (not Dog)—because Dana moves with the rhythm of our traditions
• E is for Egg (made with love)—because Eli knows family meals are where we gather

Every letter. Every story. Every activity. Rooted in Samoan life.

Not as decoration. Not as a “multicultural add-on.” As the foundation.

This Isn’t Just About Letters

When a child learns that A is for Avocado instead of trying to imagine what jelly is, something shifts.

They’re not just learning a letter sound. They’re learning: My world is worth learning about. My knowledge matters. I belong in education.

When families use resources that honor their culture, they’re not just teaching ABCs. They’re saying: You can be proudly Samoan AND academically successful. These aren’t opposites.

We’re not just teaching literacy. We’re changing the narrative about who our children can become.

The Vision: A Generation That Doesn’t Have to Choose

Imagine a generation of children who never receive the message that their culture is an obstacle to overcome.

Imagine them learning to read through stories about booby birds instead of bears they’ll never see.

Imagine them counting coconuts instead of confusing themselves trying to picture jelly.

Imagine them growing up believing—deeply, unshakably—that their Samoan heritage is a strength, a gift, a foundation for everything they’ll achieve.

This is what Le Au Aoga is building. One letter at a time. One family at a time. One child at a time.

You’re Part of This Team

This Friday, we’re releasing our first FREE 5-day literacy pack for preschoolers ages 3-5.

It includes:

• 5 culturally-grounded character stories (talanoa)
• Hands-on activities using household items
• Movement games that honor Samoan traditions
• Everything you need for 15 minutes of joyful learning each day

It’s completely free. Because every Pacific child deserves this.

You don’t need a teaching degree. You don’t need special materials. You just need 15 minutes and the belief that your child’s culture is an asset, not an obstacle.

“When our children see themselves in their learning, everything changes. They don’t just learn better—they learn who they are.”

This is bigger than one literacy pack. This is a movement of families declaring: Our children deserve better. Our culture is valuable. Our stories matter.

Join our team this Friday. Download the pack. Use it with your child. Share it with your aiga.

Because when we teach our children that A is for Avocado, we’re teaching them something much bigger:

You belong here. Your world is beautiful. Your culture is your strength.

Let’s learn together! 🌺

Comment 🥑 below if you’re ready to teach your little one that A is for Avocado!