The Home for the Aged at Mapuifagalele stands as one of the nation’s oldest institutions, unwavering in its dedication to caring for senior residents throughout the year.

Sister Rita Nadunthally 

Sister Rita Nadunthally, from Bangalore, India, embarked on an extraordinary journey that led her to become a beloved figure in the Samoan community as she is the superior nun at the Mapuifagalele home. 

Her story began in 1976 when she was trained as a Little Sister. With a heart full of dedication, Sister Rita made a promise to her congregation—to be available to serve wherever she was called. Her first assignment took her to Hong Kong, a city far removed from her tranquil roots in India. 

It was a leap into the unknown, yet one she embraced with courage. Over the years, she moved across continents—from Hong Kong to Malaysia and back again—each destination enriching her spirit and deepening her commitment to her vocation. In 1988, the unexpected came calling once more. 

A phone call summoned her to Samoa, a place she had never heard of before. 

“I was puzzled. I didn’t know where this place was,” she said. Nevertheless, she answered the call and arrived in Samoa, bringing with her a commitment to serve and a yearning to connect with a new community. Sister Rita spent 12 years in Samoa before returning to Australia and then India. 

However, the pull of the island—the warmth of its people and the beauty of its culture—was undeniable. In 2005, she found herself answering that call once again, returning to Samoa for a third time, where she experienced the depth of Samoan hospitality that she holds dear. Despite her struggles with the Samoan language, Sister Maria always felt at home among the Samoan people. 

“You’ve got that big heart and that hospitality I’ve never seen anywhere,” she noted, reflecting on her experiences. "That openness to everybody, no matter who people are, you don't even know sometimes - But you open yourself, your family, your house, your whatever it is - I have never seen that,"  she said."I often talk to everybody wherever I go. Hospitality of Samoans, I will never see anywhere."

Sister Rita's time in Samoa has not been without its hardships. She vividly recalls her first challenge: a severe water supply issue when she first arrived. Yet, with resilience and faith, she navigated through each obstacle, relying on the support of the community and her unwavering trust in the Lord. 

Her journey has been a rich tapestry of encounters, each thread woven with moments of love, laughter, and learning. One of the most profound influences in her life has been the elderly, whom she has dedicated her heart to serving. 

“The love for the old people, that stays in me,” she shared. This compassion drives her mission every day, reminding her of the value of every life and the stories that each person carries. As Sister Rita reflected on her journey, she expressed profound gratitude for the path she had travelled. 

From her humble beginnings in Bangalore to the embrace of the Samoan community, her life serves as an inspiring reminder that true fulfilment comes from serving others and opening one's heart to the world around us. 

Sister Sarah Skelton

Sister Sarah Skelton, a beacon of hope, reflected on her remarkable journey that began over four decades ago. Born in Samoa from the villages of Alamagoto, Salelologa and Savai'i Falealupo, Sister Sarah’s path to becoming a caring figure for the elderly was shaped during her teenage years while working part-time at Morris Hedstrom, a prominent grocery store in Apia in the 1970s. 

It was in this familiar setting that she first crossed paths with the sisters, who were new to the island. 

"They used to come in for their groceries, and a few times, they asked if I could help them," Sister Sarah recalled. 

Intrigued yet unaware of the impact this decision would have on her life, she agreed to accompany them on their weekend visits to the sick. The experience opened her eyes to the needs within her community, particularly for the elderly, who were often isolated and in need of care.

At 17, Sister Sarah took on a role as an interpreter, bridging the language gap between the sisters and the local elders, many of whom spoke no English. 

"I was amazed by the work the sisters did. They were out there providing care when there was little support available, especially as the home for the elderly had yet to be established." 

Her involvement deepened as she assisted with essential tasks—from dressing wounds to delivering food and medications to those in need. Inspired by the sisters’ devotion, Sister Sarah decided to pursue her calling. Three years after their initial meeting, she entered the sisterhood, dedicating her life to serving the most vulnerable. 

"It was a clear moment for me,” she reflected. “I felt the Lord had touched my heart, leading me to help others." 

Now, at 68, Sister Sarah proudly marks 45 years of service as a Little Sister, a milestone that speaks to her unwavering commitment and heartfelt dedication. 

“I feel so honoured to serve God through taking care of the elderly,” she emphasised. 

Her journey has not merely been a career; it has been a profound calling that has shaped her identity. Among the many memorable moments, Sister Sarah treasures being one of the first young girls to welcome residents into the Mapuifagalele Home of the Elderly, the home that opened its doors in 1975. 

“I will never forget that,” she said. As her journey continues, Sister Sarah remains a testament to compassion and care, touching lives in ways that will resonate for generations to come.  

Sister Christina Eucharist 

In a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, one woman’s faith and dedication to helping others became a testament to the power of selfless love. 

Hailing from a strong Catholic background, Sister Christina Eucharist credited her unwavering reliance on God to her loving parents, who instilled in her the greatest gift of all: faith. 

First arriving in Samoa in 2010, she dedicated a full decade to her mission before returning home in 2020 for her parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. Since serving, she has found her role here to be "the greatest blessing God could give me," she said. 

"I have received so much more than what I gave Him. The residents are so good, especially what I experienced in Samoa." 

However, just as she planned her return to Samoa in 2020, the world was gripped by COVID-19, leaving her stranded in India for two years. During this challenging time, she discovered hardship and profound joy. While in India, she volunteered at a care home during one of the most critical phases of the pandemic. 

When several residents tested positive for COVID-19, she and her fellow nurses fearlessly offered their lives to God, asking to take on the illness themselves to protect those in need. 

“I didn’t have any fear,” she recalled, stepping up to care for the vulnerable while others hesitated. Tragically, she eventually contracted COVID-19 along with pneumonia. 

Hospitalised and isolated, her thoughts were consumed with a desire for Holy Communion—an essential part of her faith. In a miraculous twist, as she prayed in her room, a priest arrived to bring her Communion, reinforcing her belief that Jesus would never abandon her. Her harrowing experience solidified the understanding that her faith and service to others were inextricable. 

“I felt that Jesus never abandoned me,” she reflected, cherishing the moment as the most memorable of her 23 years of service. Through trials and challenges, she emerged with a deeper connection to her faith and a renewed commitment to serving others in love.

Sister Soana Telesia

A tale of faith, resilience, and commitment that spans across oceans and cultures. Sister Soana, who is 56 years old and a woman with deep roots in the Kingdom of Tonga, shared her journey toward a life dedicated to service, marked by her early aspirations to become a nun. 

Born in the village of Ha'alalo, Tonga and raised in Kolomotu'a, Sister Soana said she grew up in a vibrant tapestry of faith, influenced by a family that celebrated Methodist and Catholic traditions. She described her upbringing as a “diverse experience” that set the foundation for her spiritual journey. 

“We were all plunged together - like a fruit salad,” she recalled, acknowledging the blend of beliefs that surrounded her childhood. A pivotal figure in Sister Soana's life was her aunty, Anamaile, a devout Catholic who played a significant role in nurturing her faith. 

“We grew up with our days starting with prayer,” Sister Soana reminisced, highlighting the importance of spirituality in her early years. Morning rituals included rosaries and family prayers, fostering a deep-seated commitment to her beliefs. At the age of nine, Sister Soana made a life-altering declaration to her aunt. 

“ Out of the blues, I just told my aunty -  I'm going to be a nun - I didn't say, I think I will be a nun”. After moving to New Zealand to be with her parents, Sister Soana’s aspirations became clouded, overshadowed by the typical distractions of youth. 

However, her aunty's unwavering prayers remained a steadfast source of support. Sister Soana’s connection to faith matured during her teenage years, culminating in a moment of clarity at the age of 17. This determination led her to seek entry into a community associated with the renowned Mother Theresa, who she had met. 

"We met Mother Teresa. She came to our school,"  she said. "Well, for us, we were excited, but we didn't realise we met a saint. It was just excitement but when I look back at it now. I'm proud I get to tell everybody that I met Mother Theresa," she added.  

Her experience in Samoa has been "like home".

"Samoa is like home for me. It's home because we eat the same food. The mentality is the same, and you know - for me - that is home,"  Sister Soana said. 

Throughout all her journeys she knew that a lot of sisters wanted to come to Samoa. Having been to many homes, she is grateful to the elderly at Mapuifagalele for always praying on the Little Sisters.

 "Every day, the residents are praying for us four times a day, sometimes five times a day," she said " For us, the sisters, we are praying all the time. We do ask the Lord to look out for families who are helping us, our benefactors and their families."

All the Little Sisters of the Poor interviewed by the Samoa Observer speak French, have travelled to more than five countries for their work, and always hold a special place in their hearts for Samoa and its residents.