Te Papa was awash with hearts last Tuesday as the Samoan community gathered together for a moment of reflection for the children, their families and the resilience of the Samoan people in the aftermath of the measles epidemic crisis. Rev. Tavita Filemoni, as Chair of the Samoan Advisory Council, together with the Anglican Social Services Family Centre (Pacific Islands Section) officiated with love, compassion and the support of over 250 people present, to take a moment in their day to acknowledge the many lives lost to measles in Samoa.
In helping to heal the many broken hearts, Aoga Amata children from the Samoana Early Education Development Services (SEEDS) refabricated 83 hearts in paper and crayon to represent the Samoan lives lost. This was followed by their performance of a song especially composed by their head teacher Vui Tofilau Tolo Pereira for the event.
In his Address, Samoa’s High Commissioner to New Zealand (HE Leasi Papali’i Scanlan) expressed his gratitude to the Government and People of New Zealand for the support and generous assistance provided to Samoa. He thanked the many doctors, nurses and acknowledged the medical supplies and medical equipment as well as the financial assistance and commodity aid.
His Excellency also thanked the many different community organisations, religious groups, charities and individuals for their donations, kind thoughts, prayers and support for the Samoan people. He thanked the United Nations as well as other international and regional Organisations, adding that Samoa is blessed to have so many friends who have offered prayers and given up much of their time and limited resources to help reduce the pain and suffering inflicted by the measles epidemic on the Samoan people.
39 Heads of Mission and representatives from the Diplomatic Corp Missions based in Wellington attended the service to show their countries’ support, and stood in solidarity with the Government of Samoa and its people during this very tragic measles epidemic.
NZ Government speakers Ms Jackie Frizelle, Divisional Manager of Pacific, Polynesia and French Pacific Division of the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, spoke highly of the very close and cordial relationship between Samoa and New Zealand.
Testimonies from doctors, nurses and social workers were particularly moving as they were at the forefront of the measles epidemic providing medical assistance as it spread across Samoa from September last year. They shared their experiences witnessing the tragedy unfold right before their eyes, lives that could have been saved taken so unexpectedly, especially children and babies.
The spiritual reflection was delivered by Rev. Tavita Filemoni followed by Spiritual Prayer by Pastor Taimalelagi Sonny Papali’i, who reminded the audience that the 83 lives will forever be remembered. The service ended with the combined singing of the song “Lota Nu’u”.
Source: Te Papa
