The National University of Samoa (N.U.S) has handed over its assistance to Fijian staff members who have families back in Fiji who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
The university was able to collect a monetary donation of SAT$4,324.30 bags and boxes of clothing, Samoan lavalavas and T-shirts.
The assistance was contributed to by N.U.S staff and students on a voluntary basis. Following deliberations by the Vice Chancellor’s Committee on how to best channel such assistance, it came to a decision to best assist those N.U.S staff whose families are most affected in Fiji.
The Vice Chancellor and President of N.U.S. Prof. Fui Asofou So’o handed over the assistance in a brief ceremony held today.
“We’ve decided to do something to help our brothers and sisters in Fiji, the university eventually came to the decision that we will collect some money voluntarily and some clothes to help with those affected with Cyclone Winston.”
“We wanted to make sure how we channel this assistance to Fiji and we could have done in two ways, either we bring it directly to Fiji through one of our voluntary organisations for gifts to go to Fiji or we give it directly to our staff who have families affected by the cyclone back in Fiji.”
“These are natural disasters and anyone anytime can be affected and this time it is our brothers and sisters in Fiji so we decided to help,” Prof. Fui added.
The six (6) staff members included Seumanu Gauna Wong who hails from the Lomaiviti Group, Ateca Silatolu from Rakiraki, Susau Solomona from Rotuma, Prof Silafau Sina Vaai from Savusavu, Chris Gounder of Nausori and Lineta Tamanikaiyaroi who is married to a Fijian from the Lau Group.
The donations will be equally divided amongst the six staff who will handle the transfer of this assistance to their loved ones in Fiji.
It was a gesture well received and acknowledged by one of Fijian staff representatives, Mrs Tamanikayaroi.
“We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for thinking of us during Cyclone Winston’s devastation. The donation that you have given today it is a remarkable amount in terms of the thoughts behind that you had done it for us and the people of Fiji.”
“I ensure you that these will be taken right to the people who need them the most and convey your message of love and care. To remind us all that one day is our turn and the next day is yours and we will remember you,” Mrs Tamanikayaroi said.