22 December 2021, Apia – The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Community, which consists of SPREP staff and associates as well as their families, spread the spirit of Christmas to the Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged in Vailele, Samoa.
Mapuifagalele is run by the Catholic Little Sisters of the Poor, and is open to all elderly regardless of their religious affiliations. They rely mainly on donations from the Catholic Church and the general public.
The Community donated cash and various goods including fresh produce, food items and personal hygiene items, which were identified by the Sisters as the most needed to prepare food and provide care for their elderly residents.
SPREP’s Deputy Director General, Governance and Operations, Ms Easter Chu Shing, said the SPREP Community has been making annual donations to a selected charity during the Christmas season for the past four years as part of their service to the local community.
“Last year we donated cash and goods to help families who were directly affected by the flooding which happened just before Christmas, and the year before that we donated to the victims of the measles epidemic,” Ms Chu Shing said.
“The charities vary from year to year. We simply look for the cause that needs the most support at the time, and that is where we lend our support.”
“This is our way of giving back to the community and to wrap up the year’s activities by spreading the spirit of Christmas to those in need,” she added.
The donation was received by Sister Martha, who expressed her sincerest gratitude on behalf of Mother Superior, Sister Maria Francis, and the Sisters of the Poor, as well as all the elderly residents of Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged.