The Samoa Victims Support Group welcomed a very special visitor last week.

A champion in basketball, Brian Kerle of the Brian Kerle Basketball Academy visited the Campus of Hope for the first time, with young basketball players from Brisbane Australia who are in the country as part of the Ball 4 Change Project by Jada Faanana Schultz and collegues back in Brisbane.

The delegation heard that the rehabilitation programmes for the children survivors of abuse cared for at the Campus of Hope are geared towards what is in the best interest of each individual child.  

While some children are into singing, dancing, reading or gardening, others are more into sports.  

The latest success story being Samoa’s Golden Girl Feagaiga Stowers who won gold at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

How Brian Kerle ended up at the S.V.S.G. office on a Friday afternoon during a scheduled meeting between S.V.S.G. and Jada on a different project was not scheduled.

However, S.V.S.G. is certain that it was not by chance, because there was an immediate connection with the tall champion.  

In less than an hour, Mr. Kerle knew enough about S.V.S.G’s work to confirm his interest to lend a hand.

He started off being an inspirational speaker during the S.V.S.G. Tina Faufautua Programme, as well as the S.V.S.G. Men’s Advocacy Programme, for the Court referred offenders of violence.  

In between basketball clinics, Mr. Kerle was at the S.V.S.G. office ready to spend some time with the young offenders.

The visit at the Campus of Hope reaffirmed his belief that: “Things happen in our lives for a reason.  Today is one of those.  We will make it work.”

Promoting health and developing children through sports, the Ball 4 Change project will become one of the possible outlets for the abused children’s anger, hurt and disappointment with the different circumstances that affected their lives.  

Who knows, there might be some professional basketball players to be recruited from the Campus of Hope.

 “Thank you so much Brian Kerle and the team for including a visit at the Campus as part of your schedule as well as the donated goods for the children,” said Siliniu Lina Chang. 

“We look forward to seeing you all next year.  Thank you also to Jada for reaching out to support this important part of S.V.S.G’s work with the abused children, apart from your initial engagement with S.V.S.G. to support the newly empowered nofotane women.”