Ten families have been the recipients of groceries courtesy of the A.N.Z. Bank Samoa, says the Brown Girl Woke [B.G.W.] Founder, Maluseu Doris Tulifau.

The bank recently joined the not-for-profit organisation’s “grocery project” and donated four cases of tinned fish, four cases of milk, a diaper pack, 20 bags of assorted items including sugar, noodles, coffee, tea and other assorted items as well as 20 bags of soap and children’s snacks. 

Maluseu said the donated food and other essential items were distributed to 10 families who were on their list and categorised as in need of assistance.

"They were surprised and excited. We do call them before we go so we can find their houses. I always want to go and see the families and know how vulnerable they are and if we are going to put them in our emergency list where each month that we go to those are very vulnerable families," she said.

She told the Samoa Observer that she was shocked to see the living conditions of some of the families as they live in very unstable houses.

"I have not met a family that bothers me, they are always so grateful when I come. They are always grateful for whatever I give them," she added.

The A.N.Z. Bank Samoa are not the only corporate entities to have stepped forward to support the B.G.W. programme with Maluseu revealing that local supermarkets Farmer Joe’s and McKenzie have also made donations to the programme.

"I really want to thank A.N.Z. for donating to us. We have had Farmer Joes and McKenzie donate to us. We really want to build on local businesses helping us give back," she emphasised. 

"So we never ask for money, we just ask for basic necessities for families and we can be the vehicle to give back with our students. The biggest part of our give back is to sow the seed in our youth on what’s happening in our community and what we need to help our people. They are the best leaders and need to start working."

Maluseu explained that her favorite part of the programme is taking students out and when they start asking questions why families don’t have water tanks, electricity and then plan on how they can push this to the Government to address the issue. 

And with the 2021 General Election nine months away, she said there is an appreciation of the need to vote for leaders who can address these development challenges.