Latter-day Saints Bring Family Christmas to Disadvantaged Samoan Children

Seventeen-year-old twin brothers Jared and Joe Hamula brought boxes of books, games, craft items, school supplies and clothing to the children at the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) for Christmas.  As welcome as these contributions were, the young men and their family both gave and received something even more important.

Jared and Joe are from the United States but have been living and going to school in New Zealand for the past four years.  While in New Zealand, they have been working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America – the highest rank achievement available to young men.  As a last requirement, the boys had to organize and lead others in a humanitarian service project.

In July, their mother, Joyce Hamula, visited the Children’s House of Hope in Tuanaimato, Samoa.  The House of Hope is one of three homes for abused and abandoned children managed by the SVSG.  She was impressed by what she saw being done for the children by SVSG President Lina Chang and her staff of volunteers, but also saw many unmet needs of an organization depending entirely on outside charity.  Joyce wanted to help and told her sons, Jared and Joe, about the needs of the SVSG children. 

Jared and Joe immediately saw the opportunity with the SVSG children to provide meaningful humanitarian service projects for their Eagle Scout awards.  With the help of their project coach, Brett Macdonald, who lives and works in Samoa and has provided other service to the SVSG, Jared and Joe organized service projects at Christmas time.  But, as Jared said, “It expanded to be a lot more….”

The Eagle Projects

“My project was to get hygiene products for the young women,” said Joe. “Things like soap, shampoo, combs, brushes and reusable feminine products.  Most of the children and youth in the SVSG homes are girls, and they have nothing.” 

Jared said, “The idea that struck me was school supplies.  The SVSG has a four-room school but currently no teacher and very little in way of supplies.”  Later, he discovered that when the children were asked what they wanted most for Christmas they invariably mentioned paper, pencils and books.

Joe said, “As we began to solicit donations, I was surprised by how many people wanted to help.  Everyone we contacted wanted to help in some way.”  Jared and Joe recruited and organized help from people they knew, including fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from their former congregation in Salt Lake City, Utah and from their current congregation in Takapuna, New Zealand. 

In early October, donations were solicited from their former congregation in Salt Lake City while the family attended General Conference there.  Fliers were posted throughout the neighborhood asking for donations for the SVSG children.  The response was overwhelming.  The Deseret Book Company in Salt Lake City and its President Sheri Dew donated several boxes of new children’s books for the school.  Scrap-booking businesses donated craft paper, scissors, pens, and glue.  Other school supplies, books, and hygiene products, as well as money, poured in from individuals. 

Upon the family’s return to New Zealand, donations were solicited in November and December.  Donation boxes were placed in the Church’s area office in Takapuna, New Zealand.  Donations also were solicited from New Zealand charities and small businesses.  As word spread of their projects, fellow Church members, neighbors and friends of other faiths soon provided support for Jared and Joe’s projects as well.  “We got so much help from everyone,” said Jared.

In Samoa, the Church’s senior missionary couples heard about Jared and Joe’s projects and wanted to participate, too.  Sister Kathy Winters offered to sew sock-babies for each child and put together books of Samoan-language Bible stories with matching pages for the children to color.  When Sister Carolyn Kamerath, the mission nurse, told her Oregon book club back home about the children, they sent her their traditional Christmas money donation to give to the SVSG.  Later, the senior missionary couples made and served Christmas Eve lunch and Christmas Day breakfast for all the children.  They came and held babies while the children sang and danced with the Hamula family on Christmas Day.   

A Family Christmas

“As Jared and Joe’s projects developed, it became apparent that more important than giving things to the SVSG children and youth was spending time with them, and giving them a family Christmas celebration,” said Joyce Hamula.  “Brett Macdonald helped us understand that the SVSG children and youth were starving for genuine love and affection, as much as tangible amenities.”

Joe said, “Originally Jared and I thought we would just find supplies and things to give to the SVSG.  Brett Macdonald made a comment to us, however, that perhaps time would be more valuable than things.  As a result, our focus changed to include spending our Christmas holiday time with the children.  We decided that we would go and spend time at the SVSG and help the children and youth there feel loved by our family.” 

“With our Mom’s help, our projects became much more than just Eagle projects,” said Jared. “She went all out—sewing and making clothing, and organizing games and activities for us to do with the kids.”  Joyce Hamula got the young women in their Takapuna congregation to make “soft monkeys” and bookmarks.  Jared and Joe’s sister at Brigham Young University in Provo, Jenny, with the help of her university friends, made tie-dyed T-shirts, each one with an original design and color.  “Our goal,” said Joyce, “grew into helping the children feel loved.”

Three days before Christmas, the Hamula family – Jared, Joe, along with their mother and father, and two older sisters from the U.S., Jerilyn and Jenny, -- flew to Samoa.  When they arrived at the House of Hope, “about 45 children were gathered together, waiting for us and singing Christmas songs,” said Jared.  “They were smiling at us, and anxious for us to arrive … that’s when it really hit me … that’s when I really saw their situation.  I couldn’t contain myself.  It turned into real life.  It was not just about Scouting anymore.  I just wanted to spend time with them, not just drop off stuff.”

For the next three days, the Hamula family spent time with the children and youth of the SVSG in a variety of activities, including singing and dancing, indoor and outdoor games, greeting card and craft making, cooking, book reading, and movies.  Craft making was particularly exciting for the kids.  Some made paper pennants and strung them into banners to hang across the windows of their rooms.  Others made Christmas cards decorated with finger paint and ink stamps included in the craft supplies.  More than one was hand-delivered to members of the Hamula family.  A quiet 13-year-old spent most of her time crafting. “She’s a natural crafter,” said Jerilyn Hamula, who led the craft activities with her sister Jenny.  “She sees the details and learns quickly. She has an eye for color.”

Jenny also conducted singing and dance activities, which were enjoyed by all.  Joyce Hamula conducted indoor games, taught practical feminine hygiene to teenage girls, and taught simple cooking classes.  In the cooking classes, the children made peppermint Rice Crispy treats, a cabbage and noodle salad, and cupcakes in a cup.*  Under her direction, children also worked jigsaw puzzles, played checkers (draughts), and other donated board games.  

Jared and Joe conducted outdoor games, including volleyball and soccer.  One young boy repeatedly led Joe by the hand to the playground swings and other activities.  “I like playing with the Hamulas the most!” exclaimed another child.  When asked what his favorite game was, he responded with a definite, “Volleyball!” “Yes,” chimed in another, “volleyball was the best.” 

Jared and Joe also read books to groups of children.   One book donated to the school was titled, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, one of Jared’s childhood favorites.  He couldn’t resist reading it aloud to the children and having them repeat the words “Chicka chicka boom boom!” whenever he read them in the book.

On Christmas morning, the Hamulas, along with the senior missionary couples, provided breakfast and Christmas gift sacks to the SVSG children and youth, as well as the volunteers.  Jared and Joe’s books, school supplies, and feminine hygiene materials were formally handed over to the SVSG children and youth.  Together, all sang Christmas carols and remembered the birth of Jesus Christ.  There were smiles on every one’s faces. 

Smiles were accompanied by tears, however, when time came to say good bye.  Each member of the Hamula family stood before the children to speak.  Jared and Joe both spoke tenderly of their love for each of the children and youth, and their gratitude for being able to spend time with them all.  Jenny said, “This has been one of the best Christmases. This is really a House of Hope.  We’ll never forget you.”  Jerilyn added, “I’ve had so much fun getting to know you. We love you and will never forget you.” 

Joyce said to the children, “I loved you the first moment I met you, and even more now. We are so grateful to have been here.  We will pray for you.  We believe in you.  We hope for you.  The Lord has not forgotten you, and He never will.”  Jared and Joe’s father, who is Elder James Hamula and President of the Pacific Area said, “With our deepest love and affection, we are grateful to be allowed to come and spend this time with you.  You may think we gave you things, but you gave us as much more.  You gave us your heart and love.”

Lina Chang, President of the SVSG, wept as she expressed thanks for the support of the Hamula family and the Church at Christmas time.  “I have no words to explain how grateful we are for the Hamula family.  We thank them – and all who came with them -- for their love and kindness.”    The SVSG children then presented the Hamulas with hand-printed lavalava (a rectangular piece of cloth traditionally worn as a skirt by men and women).  Each was decorated with the children’s colored handprints.  “Now we will have your hands with us forever,” said Elder Hamula.  

Lessons Learned

When asked what they felt about their experience, Joe responded: “I was a bit nervous at first because I’m shy and not big on social occasions or being in front of a lot of people.  But when I arrived and met these kids, everything all came together.  When I saw them face to face, it was so easy.  I wanted to be a friend to them.”  He continued: “What was most surprising was how much the kids loved you back.  You reach out and they reached right back, so immediately.  They called me brother.  It is amazing how far a hug and a smiling face travels.”

Jared observed, “Two of the things I learned were the importance of love and time. I only met these children three days ago and I was crying when I left. I feel like I love every one of them. I wanted to spend time with them; time is so valuable.  After all the gifts, what they thanked us for was being their friend. I am so thankful I can be their friend.”

*Recipe for cupcakes in a cup.  Take a microwave-safe mug. Put in 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, a pinch of salt, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons milk, and 2 tablespoons oil.  Mix. Then microwave for one minute.