Like many parts of French Polynesia, the community of Faa’aha has been impacted by the pandemic.
The mayor, Tavana Terii Rupea, recently reached out to local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asking for help to put together a team on Taha’a Island to serve the community.
Tavana-Terii-Rupea,-mayor-of-the-community-of-Faa'a,-meets-with-Moana-Teriipaia,-president-of-the-Tahiti-Bora-Bora-Stake-to-discuss-putting-together-a-team-on-Tahaa-Island-to-serve-the-community.-French-Polynesia,-February-2021.
Tavana Terii Rupea, mayor of the community of Faa'a, meets with Moana Teriipaia, president of the Tahiti Bora Bora Stake to discuss putting together a team on Taha’a Island to serve the community. French Polynesia, February 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
The discussions focused on the increasingly complex difficulties encountered by families due to the pandemic, and the assistance the Church could provide.
Mayor Rupea met with Moana Teriipaia, president of the Tahiti Bora Bora Stake and told him that he had heard about projects the Church has done in other communities.
He also said, “I know some members of your church, especially former missionaries, whose example, courtesy and respect always amaze me.”
The two leaders agreed on a plan of action.
This included projects with Latter Day Saint Charities, immediate ministering to help those most in need, and an invitation for residents to take part in self-reliance courses sponsored by the Church.
Tavana-Terii-Rupea,-mayor-of-the-community-of-Faa'a,-meets-with-Moana-Teriipaia,-president-of-the-Tahiti-Bora-Bora-Stake-to-discuss-putting-together-a-team-on-Tahaa-Island-to-serve-the-community.-French-Polynesia,-February-2021.
Tavana Terii Rupea, mayor of the community of Faa'a, meets with Moana Teriipaia, president of the Tahiti Bora Bora Stake to discuss putting together a team on Taha’a Island to serve the community. French Polynesia, February 2021.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
The mayor proposed an initial project: “I come to you to see how we can join together to relieve and bless a very poor family in Faa'aha. The family lost everything after the last cyclone in 2018. The father received equipment to rebuild their home but has neither the financial means nor the human resources to do so and has been camping for almost two years now in a makeshift house."
President Teriipaia immediately agreed to help. The Church will provide the manpower from the Hipu Ward (congregation) and would be under the direction of Bishop Toofa. The community will provide food and drink for all the workers. The family was contacted and everyone agreed to a start date in early March.
The mayor also expressed concern about the young people in his community who seem to be adrift and who are mortgaging their future with their actions.
“When I see the young adults and former missionaries of your church, they know how to express themselves, welcome people and speak up so well. I tell myself that they are examples to follow for the youth of Faa’aha and the country. Likewise, our other young people also need to be helped and guided."
President Teriipaia said: "We would welcome the chance to collaborate on helping young adults, especially with our self-reliance courses to help them build plans for their future."