New Desks and Chairs Give Samoan Students a Lift

Hundreds of primary school students on the island of Savaii started school last week with brand new desks and chairs, courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

At four separate hand-over ceremonies, Church leaders and missionaries delivered 390 individual student desks and chairs to the Safotulafai, Lafagaoalii and Samuaga, Vaisala, and Vaipu’a and Fongasavaii primary schools.

“I can think of no better gift for the children. It is the best way for them to learn and that will help them with their futures,” said Mr. Pelenato, Vice-Principal of the Lefagaoalii and Samauga Primary School.

Elder Meliula M. Fata, Pacific Area Seventy, presided over all the handover ceremonies. Members of the presidencies of the four stakes in which the schools are located conducted the meetings and officially handed over the assistance on behalf of the Church. They were President Mareko Ta’a’au, President Enesa Young Yen, President Setefano Tauvao, and First Counselor Fagaese Afasene.

Also present were Tupuola Siaosi Hunt, the Church’s Welfare Manager for Samoa, as well as Taimalie Sapele Faalogo, Papalii Sam Te’o, and Elder Chris Rotz and Sister Elaine Rotz from the Church’s National Public Affairs Council.

Each of the schools received 100 desks and 100 chairs, except for the smaller Vaisala School which received 90 of each. The brand new desks and chairs are strong and durable and yet light enough for young children to move them easily.

These donations in Savaii were the culmination of a project that began in October 2013. Thirteen primary schools on the islands of Upolu and Savaii have now received a total of 1290 desks and 1290 chairs from the Church.

“Most of the primary schools in Samoa need chairs and desks. Many of the children sit on the floor on woven mats because tables and chairs are not available for them. I feel really good about what we are doing because we know we are really helping people in need,” said Elder Fata.

He added, “Not only do we as a church want to help lift the children off the floors of their classrooms, we also want to lift their enjoyment of school and their educational results.”

Faalogo said, “This gift is a big help for the kids. Frequently they sit on the traditional woven mats over hard cement floors and have no desks to write on."

Mormon missionaries helped unload the trucks that brought the desks and chairs to the Safotulafai and the Lefagaoalii and Samauga schools and young men from the villages unloaded them at the Vaisala, and the Vaipu’a and Fogasavaii schools.

Even though school was on break when the deliveries were made, children dressed in their colorful uniforms came to participate in the events. They sat patiently on the floor during the ceremonies waiting their turn to sing songs like “Ia Pepese” or “Fa’afetai Le Atu’a." Teachers and principals joined them to welcome the visitors.

Each school was festively decorated. One had strung balloons along the ceiling of its large open-sided multi-purpose building and wrapped its supporting posts with palm leaves and red teuila flowers.

Village leader-chiefs and the school principals gave traditional speeches of welcome and gratitude. Chiefly members of the village school committee, and other village chiefs and people also attended and were very appreciative. Representatives of the Church spoke of their desire to help people of all faiths. One said, “May this gift bless the children of all families in this village.”

“We are so happy to receive the brand new ready-made furniture for the students,” said Tapuai Satiasi, the Vaipu’a and Fogasavaii School principal. “It is hard for the students to write in their notebooks on floor mats, especially the young ones. Some lay on the floor to write and their clothes get dusty,” he said.

Aunei Ulufanua Aunei, principal of the Vaisala Primary School commented, “We have other desks but they are made of timber only and are broken and damaged and difficult to use. I can see these chairs and desks are very nice and are made of metal and are strong and good.”

Latafale Meauli, principal of Safotulafai Primary School, expressed her gratitude for the chairs and desks.  “Thank you so much,” she repeatedly said.

Villages receiving help were Saleapaga, Lepa, Aufaga, Salelesi, Eva, Fusi, Magiagi, Vaivase, Afega, Faleasiu and Nofoalii on the island of Upolu; and Fusi, Fatausi, Lafagaoalii, Samauga, Vaisala, Vaipu’a and Fogasavaii on the island of Savaii.

The Samoa Observer published separate stories about the hand-over ceremonies for the Upolu and Savaii schools.

The money for the school furniture was donated by Latter-day Saints who contributed to the Church’s Humanitarian Aid Fund. The Church uses this fund to help people all over the world without regard to race, religion or ethnic origin. One hundred percent of every donation is used to help those in need.