Samoa changed my life

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 08 July 2017, 12:00AM

“My life will never be same,” said Ben Gillespie a high school student at Wyong Christian Community School based on the Central Coast of New South Wales. 

Ben is one of the 10 students here on a 10 day mission and they are staying in Falese’ela. Their goal is to offer the word of God to the young children in Samoa with the hope it would change their lives. 

But, for Ben it is his life that has been changed. 

“I always took life for granted I grew up with everything that a teenager could ask for and I never really appreciated it, until I came to Samoa.

According to Ben, the School’s mission to Samoa has been ongoing since 2008 and they have established a strong bond and a healthy relationship with the Village Council of Falese’ela. 

“We took part in plantation work, something I’ve never experienced before. 

“I enjoyed the work and putting extra effort into getting something done, probably was the highlight of my day, each time we worked on the plantation,” said Ben. 

Another highlight of the trip for Ben was working with primary school students at Falese’ela. 

“Coming here, I see how the children enjoy the little they have.... they enjoy what is available to them and they make the best of it,” said Ben. 

“Also it was amazing to see how children enjoyed interacting with other kids,  the friendship and just sharing.  What they had to eat whether it was a ripe banana, or anything, they shared,” said Ben. 

The high school student told Samoa Observer, he is definitely coming back to Samoa. “I love the culture, the respect that everyone has for one another. 

“The respect the brother and sister have for another, it’s just overwhelming. I want to be a part of this and I want to come back,” said Ben. 

The young man said aside from the “beautiful people, Samoa is just so green. “The waterfalls are to die for and the friendliness of the Samoan people, is what makes Samoa unique. I just love it here, I want to come back,” said Ben. 

The students left Samoa last night. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 08 July 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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