Members of the Samoa Police Service took time off from their busy schedule last Friday to visit the paediatric ward at the Motootua Hospital.

Commissioner of Police, Fuiavailiili Egon Keil, said they raised $3000 from a choir performance and decided that they buy toys and distribute them to sick children.

“We tried to figure out how we were going to use this amount, whether we were going to spend on food for everyone. But instead, we came to the conclusion that the best way to spend this money was to buy some toys for the kids at the hospital.”

“We believe that a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength and that is the reason behind today’s gift giving.”

“We bought toys and wrapped it up: after all, it is Christmas which is a time for giving and so we are presenting the children with toys, with the hope of seeing their happy smiles — which is the greatest gift of all,” he said. 

Spending Christmas away from their families is tough, added Fuiavailiili, and was a major reason behind the decision to buy and distribute the toys in the hospital.

“Children are a gift from God, and hopefully we can turn their frowns into smiles of joy and happiness by raising up their spirits. It is also like a closing, to end with something positive, due to all the negativity throughout the year,” he said. 

Josephine Peti, 25, whose one-year-old baby Henrietta Peti has been diagnosed with malaria, thanked the Police for distributing the Christmas gifts.

“As a mother, I truly appreciate the kind gesture by the police officers, we look up to them because they uphold the law and maintain peace within our country but to see them give out presents, it is something different.”

“They are very cheerful in trying to put smiles upon our kids’ faces here at the hospital, I commend their services to our country especially the sacrifices they go through.”

“May God bless them for their heart to give gifts to the children,” she said.

Losa Ulugia, 71, was taking care of her grandson when the Police visited the ward to hand out the presents.

“Everyone has work and I was the only one available to care for Ioane, he’s only 11 but we have spent a week here at the hospital, due to his fever.”

“I thank the Ministry of Police for their generosity in taking time out of their busy schedules just so that they can give presents to sick kids.”

“In all honesty, this is not part of their responsibilities but they spared a thought for the kids. May God shower his blessings upon each one of them and protect them from any harm as they fulfill their duties.”