Children diagnosed with measles at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital will receive gifts courtesy of a campaign driven by Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows.

Crystal Palmer, the Hotel's Marketing Executive, said the initiative is their way of giving back to the community.

“We just launched our wishing tree initiative where members of the public including our guests can donate presents,” she said.

“The purpose of this initiative is to give back something to the community. We know that our country is facing a very difficult time.

“We know that for some families they have spent so much time at the hospital with hope of their children to be well again.

“The hope is that by the 23^rd of December we would have gathered enough presents to donate to the children with the hope of raising their spirits.”

She added that they contacted the Ministry of Health for permission and were given the green light.

The Executive Chef for Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows, Jiju Rajappen, said that they have put up a variety of pastries for customers to buy as Christmas gifts.

“The inspiration came from Europe in terms of gift giving on Christmas day which is the same for Samoa.

“We created a Christmas gift shop to purchase gifts such as ginger bread house and cookies, macaroons, fruit cakes, cheesecakes.

“This is all about celebrating Christmas, and sharing a loving sweetness spirit.”

He added that they made an eco-friendly Christmas tree made of coconut husk.

The Hotel’s pastry chef, Alain Dietsch, said that the gingerbread house is made of ginger, cinnamon, spices, and honey.