Graduate Spotlight: Fa’afetai Lemautu

OSF Team • July 17, 2024
  • A man is standing next to a woman wearing a graduation cap and gown.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

A few months ago, The Orphaned Starfish Foundation had the honor to witness one of our students graduating college. These are the moments that we live for! We are proud of Fa’afetai and all her accomplishments. The OSF team is excited to see all the opportunities that will come her way and the amazing things she'll do in the lives of others.


Fa’afetai, which means “thank you” in Samoan, is now a graduate of the Pacific Island Foundation OSF tech center in American Samoa. OSF came to know Fa’afetai when she participated in an American Samoa Idol that was featured and aired all throughout the island. Fa’afetai participated and won! She has since been honored many times at our OSF Annual gala, and graced us in singing with her single “Daddy’s Little Girl.” Fa’afetai applied and was granted a scholarship in 2019 to pursue higher education.


Read below for some additional insight on Fa’afetai’s post-graduate journey.


1. What was the most exciting thing about graduating?

Being able to say this chapter of my life has closed, and it was very heartbreaking but comforting as well leaving Missouri Valley knowing that I did my part and now must move forward with my life. I was excited to see everyone that came out to celebrate me and I’m just relieved and proud of myself for finishing this chapter of my life.


2. What are you doing now?

I am currently enjoying taking a break from school with my family in Washington. I plan on occupying myself with a job in the meantime and I do plan on returning to Missouri Valley to continue my studies and get my masters.


3. Did you get a job? or applying for jobs?

As of right now I am unemployed, but I do hope to apply for jobs in my career field and obtain a job I love and will enjoy.


4. What career did you pursue?

 I graduated from Missouri Valley College with a Bachelor’s Degree majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. I hope to become an effective and competent therapist/counselor, if not for the public, for a school, preferably high school or college. If that doesn’t fall through, I plan on becoming a social worker working for CPS, specifically those who handle cases involving children who have lost their homes and have experienced trauma in their earlier developing years.


5. Any challenges happening in this new chapter?

Right now, the biggest challenge is finding my footing. All I’ve known is how to function as a student. I went into college right out of high school so now that I’m done with school, I must figure out what it is I plan on doing for the rest of my life. School gave me purpose and something to do at a specific point in my life. Now I’m just trying my best and hoping to achieve all that I put my mind and my heart to.


6. How do you describe the role of OSF throughout your college career?

OSF has been a huge contributing factor to the woman I am today. Everyone who I have met and the opportunities I’ve been presented with because of OSF have been such a blessing. I’ve come a very long way from the shy 16–17 year-old they saw on that stage in her little New York T-shirt. I have been blessed abundantly and am forever grateful for all OSF has done for me. I will remain humble and compassionate because of my many supporters and that includes the Orphaned Starfish Foundation.   

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OSF. YOU ARE NOT ONLY CHANGING LIVES, YOU ARE NOW SAVING THEM AS WELL.

 

Please continue to give at www.osf.org/donate


Recent Blogs

HOLA by Johnson & Johnson orphaned starfish andy stein

HOLA by Johnson & Johnson: Spreading knowledge and Professional Experiences with the OSF Students in Latin America

By Genesis Milisde • December 13, 2024
In efforts to create more opportunities for the OSF students in Latin America, HOLA (Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Achievement), a Johnson & Johnson chapter have hosted several career panels lined with professionals from various industries and backgrounds to share their personal experiences of how they ended up where they are today and to teach the students how they can thrive in their academic and daily life endeavors. These career panels cover subjects related to diversity, talent management, how to discover strengths and weaknesses and use them both to their own advantage. They have emphasized the important role that resilience plays when trying to become a professional, the trials they have had to face while building up from scratch to try and help themselves and their families.
A young woman graduate Yeimmy Paola Granados at Fundamor OSF Colombia with Andy Stein

Dreams do Become a Reality: Yeimmy Paola Granados, A Success Story

By Genesis Milisde • November 19, 2024
Many say that education is the key to success and that many doors open after achieving academic goals. Which is true, but this road tends to be filled with difficulties and challenges for many people. Yeimmy Paola is a young woman who entered Fundamor at the age of 7; she remained at the institution for 12 years until her graduation. Yeimmy was not exempt from these obstacles and with hard work, determination and the unconditional support of The Orphaned Starfish Foundation, she has achieved her goals and is transforming her life and the people around it. In 2023, she graduated as a technician in “Early Childhood Care”, a career that she would not have been able to pursue without the support of OSF, who believed in her abilities and tenacity. Yeimmy is now a woman who really wants to provide and help her family. She has two beautiful girls, and an excellent partner, who has supported her in everything so that she could achieve her dream of studying.
A group of Nepalese children in school uniforms and ties are holding balloons. Andy Stein of orphaned starfish

Nepal: A Journey Through Friendship and Technology

By Genesis Milisde • October 6, 2024
Every OSF visit is unique and special given the various cultures and traditions of each country. This summer, OSF Founder, Andy, traveled to the peak of the Druk Amitabha mountain, which overlooks the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The top of Druk Amitabha houses Amitabha Monastery, a Himalayan Buddhist Monastery where nuns from the Drukpa lineage live and learn Kung Fu for self-defense. They are also known as the Kung Fu Nuns. This monastery is also an Orphaned Starfish Technology Center.
A group of African school children with OSF program holding yellow flowers.

Building Connections Through Technology and Culture

By Genesis Milisde • September 20, 2024
The month of September has been a life-changing experience for the Orphaned Starfish Foundation and all the children that we serve in the beautiful African continent. OSF had the opportunity to meet incredible people and reconnect with students and friends. Throughout this visit we gathered knowledge and unforgettable events that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We will forever be grateful for the opportunity we had to be exposed to their culture, community, and love. OSF wants to thank our wonderful supporters from London, Addy and Gonzalo, who brought along their family — Jo, Charlie, David, and Johnny for this ultimate experience.
More Posts
Share by: