Lumanai Samoa is an international cooperation NGO founded in December 2018 with the aim of promoting human and cultural exchange between Samoa and Japan. We carry out dental healthcare and educational support activities in the Independent State of Samoa, an island nation in the South Pacific, while sharing the experiences gained through these activities with people in both countries.
The word Lumanai means “future” in the Samoan language. This name reflects our belief that Samoa’s future should be shaped by the Samoan people themselves, and our hope that Lumanai Samoa can walk alongside them in that process.
At first glance, southern island nations like Samoa may appear relaxed, peaceful, and idyllic. In reality, however, they face many vulnerabilities and challenges that must be addressed.
As an island nation, Samoa struggles with limited land space, leading to waste management issues and environmental pollution. The country’s many small, scattered islands create limitations and disparities in access to education and healthcare services. In addition, its location along the coast makes it highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones, as well as to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and global warming.
These challenges are not unique to Samoa. As another island nation in the Pacific, Japan faces many of the same issues. They are not someone else’s problems—they are challenges that concern us all.
Because we share this common identity as island nations in the Pacific, we believe it is essential to work together, support one another, and seek solutions side by side.
At the same time, there is much that we can learn from Samoa.
The importance placed on family, friends, and community, and the spirit of mutual support.
A culture of reaching out to those in need and sharing with one another.
The ability to accept differences and live together in harmony.
These are values that we, perhaps, have begun to forget—yet they remain deeply rooted in Samoa.
Through people-to-people exchange between Japan and Samoa, we hope not only to contribute to Samoa’s future, but also to reshape our own future as well.
It is from this shared vision that Lumanai Samoa was born.