Mesepa Faasau and Desmayne Asaua were inseparable when they studied for three years at the Vaiala Beach School.

They were doing their Years 3-5 back then and were best friends, until they went up to Year 6 and went their separate ways, with Ms Asaua switching to Robert Louis Stevenson School before moving to Fiji in Year 8 due to her parents' employment.

Ms Faasau went on to Samoa College and the girls did not see each other in their college years, until they were reunited again after five years at the National University of Samoa’s Foundation Studies programme.

The best friends were part of the cohort of NUS Foundation students who graduated and were recently awarded scholarships to pursue tertiary education in New Zealand. 

Speaking of their lifelong friendship and their success in 2019, the two girls told the Samoa Observer that they were elated at their reuniting at the NUS Foundation Studies programme.

“To find out that we were both in Foundation doing the same stream in science made our bond stronger, because now we know we’re both still sisters,” Ms Faasau said.

“It hasn’t sunk it yet that I’ve actually done all that hard work, but it feels great that my friends are here with me.” 

It was a good feeling knowing that the long nights of studies and its associated stress had come to fruition, she added. 

“There have been times where I’m about to give up and she picks me up and we pick each other up saying, we’re almost there! It’s nearly the end of the year! This journey has been really tough and I know its competitive. I learned many lessons studying here in foundation and now that I’ve reached this far and gotten a scholarship I feel really happy." 

 Ms Faasau thanked God, her parents as well as Ms Asaua for their support throughout her studies. 

Ms Faasau’s mother, Amelia Faasau, said it was a special honor and privilege for her family as her daughter’s scholarship will assist them financially as they could not afford to send her to university. 

“We thank God for this opportunity. As a parent I've seen the faithfulness of God in everything, and I also want to thank the university and the good work they have done in these two girls,” she added. 

This year fate separated the two best friends again with Ms Faasau heading to Victoria University in Wellington, and Ms Asaua looking to study at Otago University in Dunedin.

"Yes we will be apart, but we'll keep each other posted,” the two girls added.