Brown Girl Woke (B.G.W.) has gone into partnership with Apia International Christian Church to deliver essential supplies to families in need of assistance.

The two not-for-profit and religious organisations distributed boxes of milk, canned fish, soap, and chicken to families in Tulaele, Vaiusu, Vaitele, Papauta, Leufisa, Nu'u, Lotopa and Faleula that needed assistance on Saturday.

B.G.W. spokesperson, Victory Tuala-Tamalelagi, told the Samoa Observer in a phone interview that the church’s Mercy Worldwide – which normally leads humanitarian missions on behalf of the church – led to them agreeing to unite to go to the assistance of affected families.

"They come together on this specific day and they go out and help out families so they wanted to partner up with us because we have the same cause as well, to try and make life better," Mr. Tuala-Tamalelagi said.

"In partnership with this group, Apia International Christian Church, we strive to help everyone out, we give and we want the families to know that in the middle of all the crisis happening around the world and the ones that we are facing here in Samoa, we want them to know that we are here to help.”

Emphasising that they will continue to help affected Samoan families, Mr. Tuala-Tamalelagi said they will not end their programme as they want to help those in need.

"We believe in an equal Samoa where everyone has everything they need, there is no line that separates the poor and the rich. We are all the same and we are all capable of everything that this world has to offer," he added.

Erick Valenzuela, a member of the Apia International Christian Church, told the Samoa Observer Mercy Worldwide is their church's humanitarian arm.

He said they "reach out to people and help any of the people that need help financially."

Sakai Aitui of Toamua was one of the recipients of the donation and gave thanks to the two groups for their assistance.

"I would like to thank the group for the gift that I have received today. I was surprised about this donation. I would like to thank them for their service to our country by helping families that need help," he said.

B.G.W. founder Maluseu Doris Tulifau thanked the Apia International Christian Church and Pastor Sikotilani Iakopo and his wife Jenna Iakopo for their support and understanding to allow their partnership to go ahead.