By Tina Mata’afa-Tufele Elise
The shortfall in meeting its $3 million fundraising target will not hinder plans to start major upgrades to the Moamoa Theological College campus.
Renovations move forward with construction set to begin as early as next week, fundraising organisers announced during a press conference held on Friday.
Tuiaopo Faamausili Andrew Ah Liki, a member of the fundraising committee, said learning facilities and living quarters for seminarians are “unsafe” so the work must move forward with what has been collected so far.
Moamoa’s initial televised fundraiser, held on Saturday, 16 July, 2022, collected more than half a million Samoan tala – $507,000 in donations and pledges, said Deacon Fata Sam Laolagi, a committee member.
The Diocese of Samoa – Pago Pago backed the local fundraiser with a drive held Fatuoaiga in American Samoa.
The American Samoa team raised $28,000, said Father Spa Silva, a member of the committee.
Father Silva and Father Pesamino Victor, Rector at Moamoa Theological College, thanked Bishop Peter H. Brown and the Diocese of Samoa – Pago Pago for their assistance.
“There are people who have not sent in their cash donations especially those overseas donors,” said Deacon Fata.
An estimated $100,000 pledged by donors must still be collected, he noted.
Proceeds raised account for one-sixth of the $3 million Samoan tala fundraising target.
The committee will commence work on the Moamoa campus as it plans additional fundraisers throughout the year.
“We are still going to chase our $3 million goal. We still want to meet that,” Deacon Fata told reporters.
One million Samoan tala is earmarked for the renovation of the 30 homes that house the husband and wife seminarians at the Theological College. Costs for renovating one home is $30,000.
Another million is needed to make renovations to the Church building and one million will be spent on upgrades to the facilities located on the upper campus, the classrooms where seminarians are trained.
“It’s one million for 30 homes and it’s about $30,000 to renovate each home. It’s one million for the chapel and a million for the facilities and classrooms on the upper campus,” Deacon Fata explained.
Tuiaopo whose company BlueBird Lumber and Hardware donated $20,000 to the fundraiser said the work has to commence while they continue to seek funds to complete the work.
“The work will begin and the fundraising will continue,” he said.
“We are nowhere near our fundraising goal but the work begins next week with the classrooms.”
The committee promises to keep spending details, “everything transparent so donors will know where the money has gone,” said Tuiaopo.
“We will continue to fundraise,” he said.
The people of Samoa, the various denominations and the vast community who supported the 16 July fundraiser were thanked for their generous contributions.
Rector at Moamoa Theological College, Father Victor expressed his heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude to all for their support.
He said contributors can expect prayers from Moamoa in return.
“I would like to say thank you very much for your assistance I would like to convey our gratitude also to all our friends, partners, businesses, family and friends overseas, around the world from American Samoa, New Zealand, Australia and the United States of America. Thank you so much. We pray that the Lord will replenish the funds you have given for the development of the college. Faafetai,” Father Victor said.
Donations are still being accepted at: https://www.mtc-catholic-samoa.org/.