You are never too old to continue to serve. Ask Fiu Fetina’i Leaupepe and she will tell you all about it. 

At 74-years-of-age, Fiu counsels couples who are referred to the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.) by the Court over alcohol or anger management issues.

Yesterday, she celebrated her birthday with work colleagues at S.V.S.G. 

“I feel blessed to have reached 74 years of my life,” she said.

The birthday girl who hails from Vaitele Fou, Fasitoo-uta, Satupaitea and Sili is a nurse by profession. She is a mother of four and nine grandchildren.

“My passion in life is serving people hence why even at my old age, I am still working and never resting.”

She also took part in the work done by the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Unit’s psychological and social support services.

“I used my qualifications as a counselor to help families who were affected by measles.

“I spent Christmas and New Years as a counselor under the Health’s Mental Health Unit’s psychological and social support services; I offered my services for two weeks.

“My children rang from New Zealand during Christmas and told me to rest but I told them that I want to help people.”

She added that one of the reasons why she thinks she is still strong is her love to help others.

“There is love inside my heart that wants to help anyone in need along with strong faith in God.

“My heart is passionate for my volunteer work; my interest in the work is motivated because of results, the lives that have changed through my work.”

She also reminisced about life and its struggles to work and be a mother at the same time.

Mrs. Leaupepe stated that the only solution was the help from family members in looking after her kids. 

Before she moved to New Zealand with her family, her work schedule rotated from Tuasivi Hospital, Motootua Hospital, Afega Hostpital, Aleipata Hospital, Leulumoega Hospital, Falelatai Hospital and then back to Leulumoega Hospital.

“Every Sunday umu we wake up around 4:30am, prepare the food when ready we go church, then after church my husband stays to his duties in the church community.

“The children attended Sunday school while I go home to get the food already prepared, sometimes when I have no fare for a bus I walk all the way to the pastor’s house which take 30 minutes while carrying the prepared food on my shoulders.

At the age of 70 she retired as a full time nurse from Capital & Coast District Health Board in New Zealand.

After retirement she committed to working as a part-time counselor at Pacific Motu Trust Training Programs as an Alcohol or Anger Management Counsellor in 1992.

In 1995 she graduated from a course of instruction in Fire & Earthquake Preparedness & Management Capital Coast Health – Wellington and also worked with prisonners at Rimutaka Prison and Arahata Prison.

She also received a participation certificate in the Samoan Studies program held at Victoria University of Wellington in 1998.

Mrs. Leaupepe also volunteered to help for six weeks for the Tsunami aftermath and was awarded a certificate for service.