News Release

Church Partners with New Zealand School to Bring Education Supplies to Samoan Village

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teamed up recently with students, families and staff from Auckland’s Northcross Intermediate School to ship a container of school furniture and other supplies to a primary school in Samoa.

The Auckland school recently changed the style of furniture in their classrooms. As the old furniture was still in very good condition, Principal Jonathon Tredray, school teacher Jasmine Perrett and the student council decided it should  be given to a school in need.  

Ms Perrett contacted the Pacific Area Welfare Services Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and John McLean, the Church’s director of public affairs for the North Shore, Auckland region, to seek help in the transportation of the materials to Samoa.

The Tuana’i School in Apia, Samoa was selected to be the recipient of the school furniture and supplies.

Andrew Bolland, Northcross Intermediate property manager, said, “This furniture would have ended up at a recycling plant being trashed and reused as other goods. It’s good to know it’s getting a new life.”

Various faith and community members, along with students and staff, collected other furniture, books, school supplies and sports equipment. The Northcross student leaders cleaned the furniture in November and helped organize and load the container on a weekend.  

Volunteers worked tirelessly to wrap, secure and load the furniture and other donated items into the container. The container left the city of Auckland on 26 November. 

For John McLean, “The reward for the Church was seeing the response from the community, teachers, staff and students who participated in this service project.”

After clearing customs, the container arrived at the Tuana’i School in Apia, Samoa on 11 December. 

Excitement filled the school grounds as the container was opened and unloaded. The much needed furniture and school supplies were quickly unwrapped. The students were especially thrilled with the new sports equipment.  

In a small ceremony, Latter-day Saint leader, Elder Fata Meliula, presented the donations to Tuana’i School principal Lupematasila Faalafi. Students and parents expressed gratitude for the generosity of Northcross Intermediate School and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Watch a video about the project.

 

 

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