by Tina Mata’afa-Tufele Elise
Sister Josephine of the Little Sisters of the Poor and Apia Samoa Stake President Denny Faalogo at Mapiufagalele on Friday, 16 December, 2022. Photo: Le Moana Photo Studio
Local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with The Little Sisters of the Poor, Friday, 16 December, 2022. Photo: Le Moana Photo Studio
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated a 15-seater Hiace van to the Home for the Aged at Mapuifagalele.
The donation was presented to caregivers the Little Sisters of the Poor in Samoa on Friday, 16 December by President Denny Faalogo, leader of the Apia Samoa Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ.
The Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged is located in Vailele, within the Apia Samoa Stake’s Vailele Ward boundary.
President Faalogo said the donation was made in response to a request made with the Church by Little Sisters of the Poor.
The vehicle plays an important role in providing care to the home’s elderly residents. It will be used for various tasks: running errands, paying bills, collecting donations and transporting its elderly residents.
On behalf of The Little Sisters of the Poor, Sister Josephine received the car keys and van from President Faalogo.
President Faalogo said: “My job was to present the donation on behalf of the Church. The van is for the sisters to get around and run their errands, to transport the elderly residents to the hospital and cater to the needs of the elderly. My part was to represent the Church and present the donation.
“The Little Sisters of the Poor appreciate the donation very much and it was received with much gratitude. It was emotional. They expressed trying to survive by way of donations. They go to town to collect donations from companies and stores trying to live above the water and to pay their staff. I really felt for the sisters. They spend their lives caring for the elderly so it’s the least we could do. The Church is there to help everyone doing the best that we can doing whatever we can to assist.”
Other parties within the Church organised the van donation. After the request was received, it was relayed to Church authorities who found the request suitable and approved the donation.
President Faalogo said: “It’s following the Saviour’s teachings to love God and love thy neighbour and to look after the poor and the needy. It’s practicing what we preach and teach about the Saviour and that is loving and caring for those who are in need – to love others and everyone; to love the Lord and love your neighbours. Merry Christmas everyone! We know they will enjoy their vehicle and it will be useful especially at this time of the year as Christmas Day is near.”
In June this year, the scrupulously maintained Pesega campus of the Church of Jesus Christ was recognised by the Government of Samoa for the example of beauty and cleanliness it sets for the nation.
The Church received a ‘Beautiful Samoa’ award that included $2,000 cash from the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.).
The $2,000 cash prize was donated to The Little Sisters of the Poor during a small presentation on 29 June, 2022.
The mission of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home, where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family, and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to Himself.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not retain donations, grants or other funds from governments.
This policy led local leaders to identify a worthy charity to which the donation could be given.