A mother from Faleula, who lost her 11-month-old child to measles, has received much-needed help thanks to the Samoa Victims Support Group (S.V.S.G.) Juniors.

Tapuni Ioane-Matautia told the Samoa Observer that the S.V.S.G. Juniors volunteered their time to assist with cleaning their compound.

“We are also grateful for the S.V.S.G. Measles Prevention & Helping Hand Outreach for donating food and clothing supplies for our family,” she said.

“The S.V.S.G. youths and the village representatives were ambassadors of a clean environment thus their hard work in collecting plastics and advising in terms of hygiene and sanitation.”

A representative from the Assembly of God Church from Satapuala, Blessing Talasoo, said it’s the thought that counts.

“We do not have the capability to return the life of a child claimed by measles but the services we have is through cleaning the family’s home compound in terms of getting rid of the rubbish which is part of combating climate change and promoting hygiene to avoid the spread of the measles virus.

“We will also visit them this week to spray and get rid of the mosquitoes. This is not first we have done community work we are always invited.

“We wanted to promote a healthy environment and hygienic living standards for these families because so many diseases can spread without proper sanitation.”

He also said that they will continue to offer their services to help others.

“It is all for a good cause and the significance is that if we help others it is like we are saving them and that is the whole idea, doing acts of kindness for others.”

S.V.S.G. continues its outreach programme by assisting the parents of eight-month-old Hope Talamoni of Faleula, who passed away on 20th October 2019.

Another family that received assistance through food and clothing supplies was the home of Lapiki Motusaga from Faleula.

S.V.S.G. acknowledged the assistance of the Taito Family Ministry who donated  USD $3,000 and its Lend a Hand initiative to assist with the SVSG Measles Outreach.

 President of S.V.S.G., Siliniu Lina Chang thanked the donors, supporters and former volunteers of S.V.S.G. who have donated through the Givealittle page specifically set up for the S.V.S.G. Measles Outreach.