Christmas and the New Year is a time for giving. 

This rang true recently when the staff of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.) visited the Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged to hand over their donation collected from the S.P.R.E.P. staff and community. 

The donations, which consisted of a cash envelope of $1,000 and boxes of various food and other items collected by the staff, were presented to the sisters who tend to the elderly at Mapuifagalele, to help with the day to day running of the Home. 

This initiative is an opportunity for the organisation and staff to give back to the community, a statement posted on the organisation’s website said. 

“Mapuifagalele is run by the Catholic Church’s Little Sisters of the Poor and is open to anyone regardless of their religious affiliations.  

“The sisters rely mainly on donations from the Church and the public.  Sr. Lucy of the Mapuifagalele Home received the donations with gratitude and thanksgiving, on behalf of the sisters, staff and residents.  This year has been an extremely busy year for all.  

“S.P.R.E.P. also celebrated its 25 years of service to the region in promoting a resilient Pacific environment in harmony with our culture and natural heritage.  For the Secretariat staff and community, there was no better way to wrap up another great year than recognising and appreciating others in the community.

“The S.P.R.E.P. Director General, Leota Kosi Latu, and staff, take this opportunity to wish all of Samoa a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2019.”