In a ceremony on 1 October, the prime minister of Tuvalu, the Honourable Enele Sosente Sopoaga, thanked LDS Charities for a donation of 34 huge water tanks to the preschools and children on all the islands of Tuvalu.
President LaMar Layton of the Suva Fiji Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represented LDS Charities and received the prime minister’s expression of appreciation. LDS Charities is the humanitarian arm of the Church.
The occasion was part of Tuvalu’s 38 Year Celebration of Independence. Prime Minister Sopoaga said, “We thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its generous contributions to the people of Tuvalu, and especially, the smallest school children.”
Following the prime minister’s remarks, President Layton stood and acknowledged the thanks of the prime minister to the applause of those present, including the governor general of Tuvalu, the head of the Supreme Court, ambassadors from various nations, and the ministers and members of government.
Tuvalu’s main island of Funafuti has no source of water other than the capture of rainfall. Water harvesting and storage is an essential and life-saving necessity.
The prime minister’s speech was broadcast live to all the islands of Tuvalu over the state radio station.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony previously attended the state dinner for the prime minister of Samoa as part of opening-day celebrations, featuring a large parade and Governor General of Tuvalu, Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, awarding medals to citizens for their contributions to the island nation and to the world.
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