The Meriland Early Childhood Education and Study Centre has officially opened at Safa’ato’a-Uta, Lefaga.

Opened by Sinaupualofa Chairperson, Kuinimeri Eti Tamati, the initiative aims to meet the Sinaupualofa Trust core objectives of alleviating poverty and assisting children from low-income families.

The centre will cater for pre-school children during the day and tutorial services in the evening for kids of Safa’ato’a and neighbouring villages. 

Whilst some expenses concerned such as housing of the pre-school operations must be met by the village, the bulk of expenses especially teachers’ salaries, are to be met by the Trust. 

“It has always been a lifetime work and dream for me to work with kids at pre-school level because I genuinely believe that children who are nurtured properly in a loving environment will grow up to be kind-hearted and God-fearing adults.

 “However, our Government never has enough money for these types of projects, so Sinaupualofa is willing to meet some of the costs in order for pre-schools to be established at village level,” says Mrs. Tamati.

Mrs. Tamati’s family donated part of their family home to house the pre-school whilst plans are in the pipeline to build a separate building for the pre-school.

The Meriland E.C.E. and Study Centers will reach out to all villages in Samoa that have no pre-schools. 

Mrs. Tamati said another Meriland E.C.E. would be set up before the end of November closer to town, and she was willing to consider applications from any village in Samoa who are keen to open their own Meriland E.C.E.  

The prayer service for the official openning was conducted by Rev. I’aeva Amitai of Safa’ato’a-Tai E.F.K.S. and Rev. Nomeneta Simanu of Safa’ato’a-Uta E.F.K.S.