FONO FALE!

WHAT IS A FONO FALE: 
The Fonofale model was created by Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann as a Pacific Island model of health. It encompasses the values and beliefs from Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga, Niue, Tokelau and Fiji. The concept of the Samoan fale or house is used as an image to describe a Pacific view of important factors in healthy development.

THE ROOF:

The roof represents cultural values and beliefs that are the shelter for life. These can include beliefs in traditional methods of healing as well as western methods.

THE FOUNDATION: 

The foundation of the Fonofale represents the extended family, which is the foundation for all Pacific Island cultures.

The pou

Between the roof and the foundation are the four pou, or posts. These pou not only connect the culture and the family but depend on each other. The pou are:

• spiritual. This dimension relates to the sense of wellbeing which stems from a belief system that includes either Christianity or traditional spirituality relating to nature, language, beliefs and history, or a combination of both.
• physical. This dimension relates to physical wellbeing.
• mental. This dimension relates to the health of the mind, which involves thinking and emotion as well as behaviours expressed.