Bank makes a difference

By Ioana Tupa'i 03 December 2017, 12:00AM

Bank of South Pacific (B.S.P.) has stepped in once again to help the community. 

This time the recipient is the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.).

On Friday, the bank has built a new kitchen at the S.V.S.G. School of Hope in Tuanaimato and sales booth at the Fugalei market to Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.).

Presented by B.S.P. General Manager, Taituuga Maryann Lameko-Vaai, the community project is an initiative that is implemented across the Pacific region, in all the countries that B.S.P. trades in.

 For the year 2017, the theme is Empowering Women and Children so B.S.P. Samoa chose to partner with S.V.S.G.

 “As an organisation, part of our culture is to be fully engaged and committed to the wellness of the communities that we operate in. This project is one of the many ways that we show Samoa and the Pacific that, B.S.P. cares and we have a social responsibility to give back to the community,” said Taitu’uga.

Through this partnership, B.S.P. found an avenue to assist with S.V.S.G.’s current activities by securing a booth at the Fugalei market to sell goods produced from their Nofotane project. A new kitchen was also built at the S.V.S.G. School of Hope.

 “In our discussions with Siliniu Lina, she explained that the kitchen and cooking facilities were not ideal for the residents of this campus. So today I am pleased to hand over a new kitchen and cooking facilities as an extension to the fale Samoa, to encourage the young girls and children to assist with cooking and chores and perhaps work on their culinary skills and maybe become chefs in the future.”

The projects were presented to S.V.S.G. President, Siliniu Lina Chang and S.V.S.G. Patron, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau.

 “I would like to express our sincere gratitude on behalf of the Samoa Victim Support Group and the children of the Campus of Hope and Nofotane Project to you, the Bank of South Pacific for this generous gift,” Tuisugaletaua said. 

“This is not the first time that you have helped us and we pray that God blesses you abundantly.” 

According to a statement from the Bank, the project involved a cleaning bee by the staff and management of B.S.P. last Saturday to assist with chores around the campus as well as painting and cementing around the kitchen and dining area. 

The bank also held a financial literacy workshop earlier this week where 26 participants from the Nofotane project attended. The focus of the workshop was basic skills in understanding banking, budgeting to save money and financial management.

B.S.P. sought the help of Zheng Construction to help build and relocate the kitchen, and Accident Compensation Corporation who provided an available booth for the Nofotane to sell their products. Handicraft work and goods produced from the Nofotane Project are currently being displayed at the S.V.S.G. office only. 

The total cost of the project came down to $23,000 to build the new kitchen and relocate kitchen fittings from the School’s main house as well as securing the booth at Fugalei Market.

This year has seen B.S.P. give back to the community through projects like these. In May, staff donated food items and clothing to Goshen Trust, S.V.S.G. and Ola Toefuataina (Tafaigata Prison). In August, they contributed to the Two Million Trees Campaign. 

These are just some of the many community projects that B.S.P. has rolled out this year.

By Ioana Tupa'i 03 December 2017, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>