White Sunday for the family of a single mother from Malie will be quite the occasion thanks to Betham Brothers Enterprises Ltd (B.B.E.), Trans Pacific Travel, and Budget Car Rentals.

Maka Faleofi was one of the ten families who each received $600 cash, food items worth $500 and two mattresses from the three companies.

The local companies offer assistance to families featured in Samoa Observer’s Village Voice. 

Ms. Faleofi’s family was identified by one of B.B.E.’s staff members who saw that she was in great need of assistance.

The mother of three lives with her children in a small traditional Samoan home: the roof is made of coconut leaves supported by tree stems and with a floor of rocks covered with mats located near the main road.

“Thank you for helping my family, I do not have any riches to repay your kind generosity but we appreciate everything that you have given,” she said.

A staff member from B.B.E., Ruta Williams, said the assistance is mainly for vulnerable families.

“Our company has been offering this help for families in need for four years now. We mostly do this before White Sunday because we want the children to be happy on their special day.

“Our staff was able to raise the funds through fundraisers and with the assistance from the owners of the three companies we are able to bless the chosen families.

“We work in partnership with Samoa Observer, they find the families and we offer the assistance.”

Ms. Faleofi said that her family will have an extra reason to celebrate on White Sunday.

“Our family struggles because there is no one employed to financially support our needs, I have separated with my husband for a long time now, so I carry all the burdens within our family.

“We have no access to electricity and water supply; we depend upon our plantation for survival.

“I am so grateful to God for blessing my family with all these gifts, in all honesty White Sunday would be just like any other Sunday to us because we live off what we can get.”

She added that her children will have a decent meal and she hopes to buy them some clothes with the money that they received.

“I pray that God blesses the people who have provided these blessings upon my family.”

The other families who received the same assistance included Telesia Paulo, from Leauvaa; Tepora Tausaga from Saanapu; Mati Toeta from Saanapu; Losi Matua from Salamumu; Lauiva Tau from Matautu, Falealili; Fiailoa Sao from Lotofaga, Safata; Laulauga Faitoatasi from Satalo; Maiava Vesi from Salani; Siauro Famagalo from Sataoa.