It was a double celebration for the Fijian community in Samoa on Sunday. 

While it was a time to commemorate Mother’s Day, the Fijian community of the Methodist Church also gathered to remember the 70th anniversary of the church’s Women’s Fellowship in Fiji and Rotuma. 

Held at the University of the South Pacific (U.S.P.) fale, the Fijian community gathered to witness as more than 20 mothers participated in a beautiful church service. 

Tears were shed as the mothers who attend various religions back at home also took time to honour mothers who have passed on. 

 “We celebrate Mother’s Day in Samoa every year. Because we’re far away from Fiji and we are here in Samoa, we are all considered to be one community,” President of the Women’s Fellowship in Samoa, Sainimili Marama said. 

“We all attend different church’s back at home, we are from different villages, just because of work that brought us here to Samoa; we have come to be like a family, a family away from home.

“What we did in the service today is in line with our theme, which is basically asking God to strengthen our faith in him.” 

Vice President of the Women’s Fellowship in Samoa, Talei Labalaba, who has been in Samoa for 12 years, also echoed similar sentiments. 

“We have been celebrating Mother’s Day in this fale every year,” she said. 

“This is a time where we just want to thank mothers everywhere for their dedication, sacrifice and service to their families. This day comes once in a year, but a mother silently does her work with love for her family. 

“It is only right that we honour them, including those who have passed on,” Mrs. Labalaba added. 

The service ended with the cutting of the 70th anniversary commemoration cake and a lunch prepared by the fathers.