As father of four, Sai made it his mission to give his own children a better opportunity for education, and to give them a strong, confident start in life by believing in them and giving them the life skills to empower themselves to make good choices. Sai was the glue for his siblings and supported his mother, brothers and sisters in whatever they needed. He was strong in his culture and was always promoting our Fa'asamoa culture to our family and his young people he worked with.
Sai passionately served his community with TYMS as an academic mentor and transition support worker. He's been with us since 2012, contracting for two years before coming onboard full time in 2014. The impact of his work has been widely acknowledged and by his peers, community, and stakeholders. His transformative youth work has been a key ingredient to the recent growth and success of TYMS.
He always went 'above and beyond' and his legacy will live on with the hundreds of lives he touched and transformed. Fa'amanuia le Atua lau malaga Sai.
A beautiful painting of Sai and his son Artist: Mandy Patmore
Tribute to Sai
by Robson Tavita
First and foremost I want to give thanks to our heavenly father for all his love and blessings in our lives…so It is an honour and privilege for me to pay tribute to a very special person, my brother Sai Bhai.
My name is Robson Alualu Tavita and I am the son of the late Tuilaepa Ropisone and Tapaautasi Tavita. I am the oldest brother of Harry, Matthew, Byron and Api. I am the husband to Mary Ellen and the father of my sons Delvin, Maciano, Tyrese, Emmerson and Miko.
As I began to find the right words to express my thoughts about my brother Sai, I wanted to acknowledge all the people that I am representing that Sai played a major part in their lives throughout his life. Where do I start? Sai was remarkable in so many ways. He lived his life to the fullest and touched so many people during his time at TYMS especially with his young people and their families. It was so evident by the amount of people that showed up to his home to pay their respects especially all his boys that he worked with. I have never seen them so emotional before which shows how much Sai meant to them. Sai took all of his roles in his life to heart and he always strove to honour, support, and guide and most importantly, to support his families. He was at his happiest when he was surrounded by his family whether it was his Basketball family, TYMS family etc - His devotion to all families was the foundation of his actions - the anchor that defined and shaped his life. Sai was truly a family man. He was a devoted husband /father /son/ uncle / brother and friend.
He was always a family man first.
Sai was also a friend and he was a good friend to so many! Sai could always be counted on and depended on always, Late!! Lol.. but always there for us. Whether you needed simple advice, an empathetic ear, a shoulder to lean on, a listener if you will; if all you wanted to do was pass the time and have a laugh, play pool, have lunch, help you move, mow the lawns and just about anything everything! Sai was always your man; ready, steadfast, willing and always good fun…
Sai was a man of passion especially his love for Basketball. When he was younger he could “lock” you up playing his hard nose defence and then after the game he would check up on you to see if you were okay.
Sai will always be a VALLEY BOY for life.
Sai supported all his children especially sports right throughout and encouraged them to try their best.. He loved seeing his children involved in sports and activities that build character. I would always tell Sai how proud I was to see his son Kaiya and my own sons play together. Basketball had taught us a lot about the brotherhood of the Valley Boys and how it define our lives. We hoped that it would defines our sons lives. My Family and I will remember you Sai, through the many memories we have shared and the many lives you touched so positively. You leave an amazing legacy behind, four beautiful and brilliant children. Cole, Rees, Kaiya and Mali They are your legacy!! You leave this world a better place than when you found it and for that you have to be very proud.
Sai, brother, my uso its been hard to say goodbye as I did not get to say that to you. I’m always thinking of you and missing our time together. I wish you were still here. But GOD has called you home as he has a plan for you, I miss you so much. But I will always remember you with respect and admiration Manuia le Malaga Uso, Safe journey brother, Give my love to Dad when you see him.
Love you always Sai x
Robson Tavita, Founder of Tuilaepa Youth Mentoring Services
A poem dedicated to Sai
I never got the chance to say I love you, I never got the chance to say I'll miss you. Nobody told me that you were going to die, It hurts, I never said GOOD-BYE.
Where are you now, please talk to me, show yourself and let me see. I know that can't happen no matter how much I try, All I wanted to do is say GOOD-BYE.
I hope that you are happy wherever you are, I have you in my heart no matter how far, To the heavens above, I wish I could fly, Only to give you a warm GOOD-BYE.
I will remember you each day that I live, You were such a good person with so much to give, Such a privalege to have known you, no one can deny, I think it might be time to say GOOD-BYE
I will keep you with me the good times that we shared, I want to you know just how much I really cared, Till we meet again, on God we must rely, I love you, I miss you and for now, GOOD-BYE.