Campus of Hope gets U.S. support

30 October 2018, 12:00AM

From Portland Oregon in America to Samoa in the Pacific Islands, Carol Robbins and her team were on a special mission when they flew in last weekend.

Ms. Robbins, the owner of the Pearl MedSpa of Portland Oregon, have been supporting Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.) from afar with her staff. They have fundraised to help run the Campus of Hope for abused and abandoned children.  

But the more she got to know S.V.S.G. and its work through Mama Lina, the S.V.S.G. president Siliniu Lina Chang, the stronger was her belief to see the place for herself, and she took that leap of faith.  Closing down Pearl MedSpa branches in Portland Oregon and Scottsdale Arizona, Carol and her 14-member team and branch managers arrived in Samoa last Saturday on a hopeful mission – to understand the work of SVSG better so that they can better provide support.

Celebrating 11 years of health and wellness from inside out, the Pearl MedSpa is two years shy of the S.V.S.G. first getting setup in 2005.  

But there was a connection from the start and it all came down to love for the children.  

“We came here to bless the children, see how we can be part of the hopeful mission, however, we were blessed in return.  Those smiles, its simply amazing,” said Ms. Robbins.

She was accompanied by Pearl MedSpa’s general manager, Leuso McKenzie, who has travelled back and forth over the years to visit the children, discuss with the S.V.S.G. executive the needs to sustain the shelter operation, and organise fundraising events in Portland for the children in Samoa.

The Pearl MedSpa team was welcomed by the S.V.S.G. Board during an ava ceremony performed by the S.V.S.G. village representatives, upon arrival last Saturday.  This was followed with a visit to the S.V.S.G. family at the Campus of Hope, where the board chair, Georgina Lui, thanked Carol and the Pearl MedSpa for showing S.V.S.G. that they care.  

“What you have done through this trip is to reaffirm our belief here at S.V.S.G. that distance and circumstances don’t matter, it is all about the heart and the will to lend a helping hand,” she said.

As part of the visit, SVSG staff and members underwent training on trauma and how to deal with traumatized children by Dr. Bret Fuller, a psychologist that provides therapy for addiction, depression, anxiety, and a whole host of other life issues. 

A container of donated goods was also devanned at the Campus as part of the trip by the Pearl MedSpa with the Pearl MedSpa team also taking on carer roles at the Campus after they arrived.

30 October 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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