From Sydney to Samoa: Labour of love for Loto Taumafai Society

22 April 2018, 12:00AM

The learning environment at Loto Taumafai Society (L.T.S.) has just received a major boost thanks to a series of genuine “Acts of Kindness” by a number of wonderful people in Sydney, Australia.

Since early February, the group of donors and sponsors have been working to ensure L.T.S. receives much-needed desks, lockers, miscellaneous furniture and other items for use in its work with the children and families with disabilities.  

The labour of love project was coordinated by a passionate Samoan couple residing in Sydney Australia, Jason and Roberta Chang, who have a big heart for community outreach work.

This passion to support the vulnerable community of people with disabilities was birthed for the Chang family when they spent a year doing missionary work in Samoa in 2015). 

During that time, they established a relationship with L.T.S. and greatly supported a major fundraising event at the time for people with disabilities.  

Fast forward three years later, an opportunity emerged for Jason and Roberta Chang and their company, J.R. Synergies, to spearhead a project to give practically. 

Delaney College, a Catholic school in Sydney where Sheryl Temu, a good friend of Roberta works, had purchased new furniture and were looking for a “good home” for their used furniture. 

She contacted Roberta and consequently connection was made with Loto Taumafai School.  From that point on Roberta, began her work in sourcing the best price and sponsors for the shipment costs from Sydney to Samoa.  

Through their business contacts and community connections, the Changs persisted to make their passion become a reality.

The container has arrived in Samoa. 

“L.T.S. as the recipients of these tremendous donations wishes to pay tribute and acknowledge the combined effort of the significant individuals and companies, who worked collaboratively to make this project possible in every way,” said Loto Taumafai School Principal, Lagi Natanielu.

“Through it all the faithfulness and divine provision of our Great God was evident.

“L.T.S. acknowledges the generous financial sponsor of all the shipment costs by Greg and Kim Fisk of City Mutual Group, Sydney Australia, a loyal business friend to Mr. & Mrs. Chang. 

Furthermore, through her contact Theresa Iputau at Pacificonnect Pty Ltd, Roberta was able to negotiate a significantly discounted price for the shipment with the assistance of the Managing Director Mr Polikapi Foketi. LTS is most grateful for this tremendous support towards the shipment of the container to Samoa.” 

The loading of all the items was carried out by an amazing group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to pack the container. 

This was organised by Roberta Chang and sponsored by JR Synergies. The team included Sheryl Temu from the donor school Delany College, and her husband Marcus. In addition Helen and Ness Fepulea’i, Linda Muipu, Kaylyn and Jerome Gabriel.  Provision of the truck by Palemia Alaalatoa to transport all the contents made the job easier. 

“L.T.S. is very thankful to this team of volunteers for their labour of love,” Mrs. Natanielu said.

“From the outset, negotiations were also in place with local partners to this project, Betham Brothers Enterprise (B.B.E.), who kindly agreed to support through their sponsor of the local financial costs of the clearance of the container. In addition we also acknowledge the great contribution of Molida Shipping (local agent for Matson) for waiving their local fees. 

“L.T.S. is sincerely appreciative for all the support and favour demonstrated by these two local companies.  Special thanks to the hard working team at B.B.E. for co-ordinating the whole clearance process from the arrival of the container to its delivery to our premises at Vaitele.”

Loto Taumafai Society is a non-government organisation that serves the local community of people with disabilities through the Special School, Community Disability Services, and Vocation Unit.

Any “Acts of Kindness” by sponsors and donors that contribute to the ongoing work of our organisation are all deeply appreciated and embraced by the C.E.O Leta’a Devoe, all the employees as well as the community members who are involved in the services provided by L.T.S.

“This collaborative project from beginning to end truly demonstrates the declaration in Psalm 133, “where there is unity, God commands a blessing”! From L.T.S to you all – Faafetai tele lava mai le taele o matou agaga. E moni ai upu a le Tusi Paia “Ua taumasuasua la’u ipu”.

“To Jason and Roberta Chang, you are legends. Thank you for all of the community projects you passionately coordinate and execute with love in which L.T.S. are the blessed recipients this time around. Most importantly all glory and praises belong to our Sovereign God for all that He has done.  

“We are humbled by all the genuine support in this project.  Our prayer, is for Gods abundant blessings to be upon all of the sponsor, donors and volunteers who contributed to this “collaborative labour of love.”

22 April 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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