Eighteen families from Savai'i who lost relatives during the measles epidemic each received a basket of goods and $300 from the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party on Wednesday. 

The Secretary and members of Samoa's newest political party traveled to Savai'i to present the donations to the families.

A young couple from Vaito'omuli in Savai'i, Tafale and Tafa who lost their six-year-old son to measles in 2019 were thankful for the gesture. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Tafale thought it was considerate of the party to donate to the families who had lost their loved ones during the measles epidemic. 

"We are grateful for their generosity and we thank the F.A.S.T. family for thinking of us and our families," he told the Samoa Observer. 

"We did not think we would receive any assistance from F.A.S.T. as it is a new political party, but we are grateful to the leaders and the members of the F.A.S.T. families. 

"I would also like to acknowledge the kind assistance of our people overseas for donating money and goods and making this mission possible. 

"We have kindly received your love and donations and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts." 

Another grateful father, Semu Sam Levao from Gauta-vai also commended the leader of F.A.S.T. and the party for the great initiative. 

"I know this will not bring back our children," he said. 

"But this is a great help for our children and families. This shows that they (F.A.S.T.) truly care about our people and our children. 

"They felt the pain we went through and they understand how hard it is to lose a loved one, especially if a parent loses a child. 

"So we want to thank F.A.S.T. and we wish them all the best with the upcoming election. Whatever plans they have for the future, I hope that they excel in all that they do. 

"They have won the hearts of our families and we hope they will succeed." 

In an earlier interview with the Samoa Observer, deputy leader La'auli Leuatea Schmidt said they had already set aside a budget for their mission. 

He also said that the motive behind the initiative is to "bring hope and happiness" to these families. 

F.A.S.T. also received donations from the Samoa and China Friendship Association that included boxes of masks and hand sanitizers.