For many in the Fijian community in Samoa, Mother’s Day meant spending the special day away from their mothers and children.

The community marked the special day with a church service at the Methodist Church in Beach Street. Many members of the community are working in Samoa, and this means spending such occasions away from children and mothers.

Among them was Sala. This was an emotional Mother’s Day for her as she was away from family and this was her first Mother’s Day without her mother.

“My mother passed away last year, so this is my first Mother’s Day without her. I have come to Samoa for work purposes and will return next week. This trip also meant spending this day without my mother,” she said.

“She will be looking down on me from heaven. I am glad to have spent the day with other strong women who are here without their families.”

Sereana Adimatai, 56, works in Samoa. She is away from her children.

“All my children are back home in Fiji. Sadly, I am unable to hug them and kiss them today. It would have been nice to have Mother’s Day lunch with all my children, even if I had to cook,” she said.

“I thank God that I was able to speak to them but having them next to me is what I really wished for.”

Meanwhile, members of the wider Catholic community and family members of the mothers at the Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged got together and joined them in prayers on Sunday.