The New Zealand High Commission in Samoa continues to strengthen the "heart of the community" through a range of local projects that contribute to the well-being and development of Samoans.

Through the High Commission Fund, eight schools, eight community groups and organisations, and two women’s committees from across Samoa received funding support for the financial year 2019/2020.

This was highlighted in a statement issued by the New Zealand High Commission.

The recipients are selected according to priorities set by the High Commissioner and the in-country High Commission Fund administration team.

And it must be in line with the New Zealand Aid Programme’s mission of ‘sustainable development in developing countries, in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.’  

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa, Dr. Trevor Matheson, said that the quality of projects and applicants to the High Commission Fund continues to reflect the significant role of the community in delivering grass-roots initiatives, here, in Samoa.

“This is even more important now as Samoa, like the rest of the world, faces — and responds to — the challenges COVID-19 is presenting to our health services, economy, social systems, and broader way of life,” Dr . Matheson is quoted as saying in the statement.

From providing funding to help Goshen Trust and the Samoa Victim Support Group to care for the most vulnerable among us, to the purchase of sewing machines for Women’s Committees and new resources, educational material and fences for a number of schools, the High Commission Fund enables New Zealand to contribute to and strengthen work taking place at the heart of community. 

“We’ve seen such brilliant effort and commitment from all who have benefited from High Commission Fund support here, during the last 12 months,” Dr Matheson added.

“We really want to keep this community momentum going and given the current State of Emergency in Samoa, and the global pandemic situation, we are inviting applications targeted specifically at health and economic empowerment initiatives when Round One of the 2020/2021 High Commission Fund opens on Monday 14 September.” 

The recipients of 2019/2020 High Commission Fund support inlude: Aana II College, Animal Protection Society, Avele College, Faleapuna School Committee, Gagaemauga Komiti o Atinae, Global Shapers, Goshen Trust, Leifiifi College, Letogo Primary School, Moataa Primary School, Pacific Island Hope Mission, Samoa International Game fishing Association, Samoa Victim Support Group, St Joseph Primary School, Talamua Media, Tanoa Bowling Club, Vaimoso Primary School and Vaisala Women’s Committee.

One of the recipients, Avele College launched its much needed fence due to problems with wild pigs destroying their garden.

The School’s Principal, Matafeo Lesaisaea Reupena, told the Samoa Observer that agricultural science is not only a subject in the curriculum, but is also a means of teaching students life-skills which they can also apply at home.

He also added that agricultural science is not only a subject in the curriculum, but it is also a means of teaching students life-skills which they can also apply at home. 

Application forms, as well as information on High Commission Fund eligibility, prioritisation criteria and the application closing date, can be requested by emailing the High Commission Fund Administrator at [email protected]