South Pacific Business Development (S.P.B.D.) Microfinance Ltd has donated $3,000 cash and food to the Mapuifagalele Home of the Aged at Vailele.

The S.P.B.D. General Manager Luapene Lefau presented the funding to Catholic nun sister Maureen Mokaya, who is part of the Little Sisters of the Poor order, which runs the hospice.

Mrs Lefau said the cash and in-kind assistance was not much but she hoped it can cover some of their needs.

“We wanted to help them through these small donations like the food and also financial assistance. It’s not much but we hope it’ll cover some of their needs,” she said.

Sister Maureen, in response, thanked the microfinance organisation and said they appreciated the assistance.

“Thank you S.P.B.D. for the gifts, we appreciate everything and may God bless you all,” she said.

The donation by the microfinance organisation was in response to a letter from the Little Sisters of the Poor asking for its assistance, which Mrs Lefau indicated as the reason why they decided to step forward to assist. 

One of the goals of the microfinance organisation is to eradicate poverty and according to Mrs Lefau, their donation is one way of ticking that box by reaching out to the elderly and assisting a non-profit body.

Sister Maureen said Mapuifagalele residents were happy with the donation and are grateful for the gesture.

“We are very happy about this donation and thank you so much for caring about our old people who are staying here,” she added.

The S.P.B.D. said their donation is their Christmas presents to the elderly people who are in the care of the Catholic order.