Mathew Siliga Amituanai

Pacific islander

In 2018, Mathew founded the Thrive Initiative, primarily focusing on providing comprehensive sexual health education and testing for LGBTQI+ out of multiple sites that are not hospitals or clinics. Within five years of working independently with Thrive, Mathew connected with just under 4,500 young men. 

A recent partnership with a local grassroots organisation called Brown Girl Woke has led to the push for the action of decriminalising homosexuality in Samoa as well as the creation of a safe space for non-heteronormative young people, where education could be given on sexual health services without stigma and discrimination. Through Thrive and Brown Girl Woke, Mathew advocates for both a multi-disciplinary and a multilateral approach to the work that is done.