Local company Ready Homes Samoa Ltd. has partnered with the Worship Centre Christian Church Worldwide to deliver Samoa’s first two 40-foot expandable prefab container units in Papauta. 

At the grand opening of the Merroo Prayer house, the project also marks a milestone for Ready Homes, which made history by introducing the first 40-foot expandable prefab container units into the country. The units are part of a broader development initiative led by the church, with several other facilities on-site being blessed today.

“ I think this is the first kind of home here in Samoa, and it's in your piece of land. We're still looking for more,” said Alai’asa Sepulona Moananu, the church’s treasurer.

The new facility serves as a living quarter for visitors who wish to stay for several days of prayer. Originally designed as a three-bedroom container home, the structure was converted into a six-bedroom unit with access to separate toilet blocks and a Samoan fale nearby.

“People come to pray and need a place to rest, that’s what this space is for,” said Alai’asa. “We’ve already discussed with Ready Homes about expanding further." According to Alai’asa, the church’s broader plans for the site include a mission school, additional housing, and a large hall, which they also hope to build through Ready Homes. 

Ready Homes Samoa, a local modular housing company specialising in container homes, is leading the construction. Muliaga Robert Ash, Managing Director of Ready Homes Samoa and the Pacific, confirmed that the current unit is the first 40-foot container home of its kind in Samoa to be used as part of a faith-based retreat complex.

"The difference between us and our other competitors is that we hand-pick everything and we still give our clients the feeling of planning your own house, the floor plan." 

Muliaga said key contributors to the Ready Homes Papauta project include Su’a Alan Schwalger of Schwalger Design and Built Ltd., Samoa Stationery and Books (SSAB), Jay Hansell of JJ Hansell Electrical Engineering, Lorenzo Fepuleai and the team at Betham Brothers Enterprises, and Masoe Norman Wetzell of Apia Concrete Products (ACP).