Mother’s Day celebrations began early for seven elderly women who were hosted for breakfast Thursday morning by the Faletua Tauvela Fagasua of the Vaitele-Uta Congregational Christian Church Of Samoa.

The mothers and grandmothers between the ages of 78 and 95 had breakfast at the RiVaiv Café & Turmeric Bar in Vaitele to mark this year’s annual celebrations.

They included Faanunu Mulipola (95) of Vaitele-Uta and Sogi; Peleiupu Soifuag’a (94) of Vaitele-Uta and Patamea Savai’i; Pulusila Ulugia (94) of Vaitele-Uta and Vaigaga; Akesa Rimoni-Uesi (88) of Vaitele-Uta and Asaga Savai’i; Luisa Siliaga (87) of Vaitele and Vaipapa Mulifanua; Sapini Nanai Tolovae (82) of Vaitele-Uta and Matautu-Falelatai; and Pa’i Ilaoa (78) of Vaitele-Uta and Fagam’alo Savai’i.

In an interview with the Faletua, Mrs Tauvela Fagasua said that it was the only time to do something nice for the elderly church women.

“It is the only time that these elderlies can come together to relax, have fun, tell their own stories and share their memories from the past,” she told the Samoa Observer. 

“All of them are still continuing their services and always participate in every activity for our society (mafutaga tina) so we are hosting breakfast for our old mothers in our church to enjoy.

“There were other elderly women of our church that we invited but they are not here joining us and all of them are always the first people coming into church every Sunday.”

For 94-year-old Soifuaga, who is six years shy of becoming a centenarian, she praised God for her health and her 11 children together with grandchildren who look after her.

“Praise God that I’m still strong and healthy. I’m almost 100 years old but I’m still very strong,” she said.

“My village is Patamea in Savai’i, it’s a big village. I have eleven children with my grandchildren who look after me and take good care of me.”

Expressing appreciation for her longevity, 95-year-old Mulipola said she was born in Sogi and has eight children. 

While Ulugia, who is one year younger than Mulipola, said she has 12 children with most of them residing abroad.

“I was born in Vaigaga, I have 12 children and the majority of them are living overseas in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

“I don’t know how many of my grandchildren are but all I know is they love me and take care of me.”