Fourteen months after its establishment at the height of the 2019 measles outbreak, Faith Angels Foundation continues to put a smile on the faces of families and children in the paediatric ward at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital.

In a statement issued in response to questions sent by the Samoa Observer, the non-profit group said a trust fund was formed to enable those who wanted to donate to measles affected families in hospitals by delivering donations directly to these families.

The donations came in the form of nappies, nappy wipes, hygiene kits, food and various other items.

Asked about the meaning of the foundation’s name, its proponents said: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)”.

“Faith is an important part of our Ministry. It is our belief that Jesus died for us and by his stripes we are healed.

“The children at the hospital both young and old are counted as angels. Jesus said in Mathew 18: 10 ‘See that  you do not despise or think less of one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always are in the presence of, and look upon the face of my father who is in heaven.’” 

Following the 2019 measles outbreak, the founders of the foundation said they decided to continue their service due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, as they wanted to continue to share the love of Jesus Christ and support vulnerable families in the paediatric wards of district hospitals as well as the one at Moto’otua.

When asked how many people were part of the foundation, the spokesperson Elizabeth Andrews said “volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart”.

Ms Andrews also emphasised that ‘compassion is rare’ and this is what each volunteer at the foundation had.

“The number of volunteers varies due to their availability as this is a voluntary act of service. On some visits there are about six volunteers and other times there are 10 but sometimes there are two or four that are available.

“They do not get paid for this, but they have the compassion to serve. For this reason, we are grateful for all the volunteers that made their time available to come pray for our children, because prayer is a big important aspect of this ministry.”

The work of the late Catholic nun Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India is also a driving force behind the work of the foundation. 

“Mother Theresa once said ‘it’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for such sacrifices God is pleased (Hebrews 13:16).”