More than 70 households in the village of Leone have received hygienic kits to promote better hygiene awareness as part of COVID-19 preparedness. 

The project is spearheaded by the Adventist Development Relief Agency (A.D.R.A.) Samoa and is funded by the Canada Fund.

A.D.R.A. Samoa Director, Su’a Julia Wallwork, told the Samoa Observer that their teams were tasked with delivering hygiene kits which was the last part of the fund. 

Late last year more than 50 households had newly installed sinks to promote hand washing in a bid to create awareness on better hygiene.

Soap, disinfectant, face masks; toilet rolls, toothpaste and brushes were also distributed to each family in Leone.

With over 70 families being the beneficiaries of these supplies, its impact will be felt by over 100 people as they make up many of the family members. 

The project was set up in response to data from the Samoa Statistics Bureau during the 2016 census, which found that there are more than 500 residents and 77 households in Leone, and uncovered that the area is one of the most disadvantaged and marginalised areas.

Su’a also said that the impact of the late 2019 measles outbreak was another reason for selecting the Leone community and she is grateful that they were able to get donors to provide assistance. 

“It’s a pathway to learning and raising living standards and that’s what we continue in our work at A.D.R.A. so that we have made a difference."

Leone resident Salani Maoluma, who is a member of a family who total 18 members and live under one roof, acknowledged the donors and the A.D.R.A. Samoa for the assistance. 

“Hygienic practices are part of preventative measures to ensure family members are safe especially the children,” he said.

The father-of-four said that out of their 18 family members, four are employed with eight children attending schools.

“The number is high because we have some relatives from Savai'i who are living with us while attending schools.

“Before the sink was built the children were so used to not washing their hands after using the restroom but now that there is one, they are so used to washing their hands.

“With heavy rain come fears of flooding because our home is situated in a low lying area.”

The 30-year-old said that during flooding water inundates the area around their home which is accompanied by rubbish.

“But that is not healthy for the children or any of our families. The concern that comes with flooding and rubbish are diseases and mosquitoes, I do not want anyone to get sick.

“Our home can be accessed through a road but most taxis or vehicles do not want to come due to the bad roads during flooded times. 

“So we walk for 15 minutes every day to the main road. We are very grateful to this project for lending a helping hand to our families here in Leone.”