Young Samoans Help Prepare New Hospital for Opening

A group of young Samoan Mormons spent a morning recently cleaning up flower beds, sidewalks and driveways surrounding Samoa’s new national hospital ahead of its grand opening ceremony.

The young people, all members of the Pesega Samoa Stake (similar to a diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gathered at a local church meetinghouse at 6:00 am and then traveled together to the hospital. Some had taken time off work or postponed other activities to participate.

“I want to help.  This is our national hospital!  I was asked and so I came,” said Urshla Adams from the Pesega Third Ward (congregation).  “Service is another way to share the gospel and follow the example of Jesus Christ.”

Lua Magalogo, who works for the Samoa Quality Authority, took time off from work to be a part of this service opportunity. 

So did Tia Vui, from the Vaitoloa First Ward, who took the morning off from his job.  Why did he come?  “Because I’m a Mormon and I want to support the service of the Church,” he said. 

Simi Kisa is from the Lotopa Ward.  His bishop (congregation leader) asked if he would help clean up the hospital and he agreed to do so.

Aloma Soloai heard there was going to be a service project and spent time texting other young adults in her congregation (Vaitoloa Second Ward).  About nine of her friends joined in to pick up trash and sweep up dirt on the hospital grounds. Aloma is a recently returned missionary who had served in Tacoma Washington in the US.

Siolana Vui, Matalena Ah Choo Koon, and Emma Toleafoa cleaned out trash along the flower bed near the building. What would these three women have been doing if they weren’t at the hospital cleaning up?  “Doing chores at home,” “cleaning the house,” and “playing basketball at church.”

And why did they come?  Their responses included: “We received a request from the Ministry of Health and we wanted to help.”  “We like to associate with other young adults.”  “We like serving others.” 

Returned missionary, Joseph Ete of the Viatoloa First Ward, enjoys service projects. He had opportunities to offer service on his mission in San Jose, California when he worked in soup kitchens and helped people move.

Arthur Ah Loo, from Pesega Fifth Ward, echoes the sentiment.  He is a returned missionary who served in the Utah Salt Lake City South mission.  “One of our missions of the Church is to help our community and to be an example and give service. Doing small acts of service brings about much good.”

Faleata Savea of the Samoa National Health Service had heard of the Church’s reputation for volunteer service so he asked a local Latter-day Saint leader for help. Word reached Sapele Faalogo, president of the Pesega Samoa Stake, on Tuesday last week for the cleanup project on Friday. 

President Fa'alogo and other leaders put a team together on short notice. 

Molisa Tavete responded confidently, “Nothing for the good of the human soul is un-doable.” 

Officials at the Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Motootua, Samoa expressed gratitude for the service of the young people.