If someone is in need, lend them a helping hand. 

Do not wait for a thank you. 

This is precisely what happened when a Good Samaritan couple from Australia, who wished to remain anonymous, came to the Samoa Observer with gifts of food, supplies of utensils and tarpaulins in response to a Village Voice story, which featured Tiatia Reupena of Faleasiu.

When the Village Voice visited Tiatia Reupena’s family, her husband was trying covering up the other side of the house with thatches. 

“To be honest, with the state of the house we have, we’d rather live in anyone’s kitchen with the roof covered than living here,” she said.

“I don’t know when this rain is going to stop because the longer it rains the more problems we have here at our home.”

The floor of the fale is not cemented. Cardboards are used as mats. The utensils are very basic.

“We have no money at all to build a better house,” she said.

This moved the anonymous couple who said they felt the need to help once they read the story.

“I’m from Faleasi’u and we’ve been following a lot of stories that you guys do,” she says.

“So when I saw that it was someone from my own village and area, I showed it to my husband and we wanted to do something.” 

The Australia-based couple were here to see their families and despite how busy they were, they still managed to find the time to do a lot of shopping for Tiatia and her family. 

“So we come home every year and so for us, we were like what’s the point of coming?” she asked. 

“We come to see our families and also putting back into the Samoan community so instead of holidays anywhere else, we come home.”

“When we saw the photo we were like, we got to do something. We need to do something.” 

The anonymous couple donated, hoping this would help this family with what they need. 

Petelo Mika Reupena, Mrs. Reupena husband was still working on the house when the Samoa Observer Team arrived with the donation. 

When presented with all the gifts from the anonymous couple, Petelo was just speechless, smiling away. 

Petelo was overwhelmed and he appreciated everything that was given.

 “On behalf of my family, I would like to thank the amazing couple who has shown love to us and donating so much more than we deserve.”

When asked about where Mrs. Reupena was, he said she went with the children to get some food. 

 “Thank you so much and God bless.”