The Tavila family from Pitonu'u, Satupa'itea in Savai'i has received the perfect Mother's Day gift for the matriarch of their household, Talai Tavila. 

Mrs. Tavila's 24-year-old son, Tuifatu Tavila was the winner of the Vodafone Samoa’s “Savaii Car for the More For All Promotion”, 

It marked the first time the telecommunication company dedicated a new vehicle as a major prize giveaway for its customers in the big island. 

Mr Tavila drove away with a brand new 7-seater Toyota Rush on Saturday after he picked the right key to unlock the car.

For the other four participants who did not win a car, they received brand new phones and other accessories.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Mr. Tavila was overwhelmed with emotion saying it was one of the most unexpected moments in his life.

"I am grateful and thankful, I am overwhelmed with joy," he said while fighting back tears.

"This is a wonderful gift and it's the perfect gift for my mother this mother's day. I am surprised and at this very moment, this seems unreal.

“I just won a car and it will be my perfect gift for my mother as we celebrate Mother's Day tomorrow [Sunday]."

Mr. Tavila, who is a taxi driver, said his family uses his father's taxi to generate income and he was looking forward to driving home in his brand new car to surprise his family, especially his mother. 

"I knew about this promotion and kept making entries by buying the $7 Savai'i bundle every week for the past couple of months,” he added.

"I didn't think it would be enough for me to get a chance at winning the car, but I guess I got lucky and I thank God for his blessings upon me and my family. 

"This is a wonderful gift and what a perfect time to receive such a gift. I am just speechless, to be very honest.

"I didn't prepare a gift for my mother this year, we were just preparing everything for to'onai and that's it. 

“We didn't plan anything special, but I guess she will be very surprised when she sees that I won the car and it will be hers."

Mr. Tavila took the opportunity to thank Vodafone Samoa for always giving back to its customers, especially with its dedication of a car as its major prize just for their customers in Savai'i. 

"I cannot explain how thankful I am to the Chief Executive Officer and all the staff at Vodafone Samoa for this great gift," he said. 

"This will definitely be something we will always remember for the rest of our lives. We got this perfect gift for our mother this mother's day, so we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

"Vodafone Samoa continues to provide not only great service for our community but they are always giving back to its customers, so fa'afetai tele lava!"

The President of the Samoa Hotel Association,  Tupa'i Saleimoa Va'ai addressed close to a hundred Savai'i residents who gathered at the Salelologa market on Saturday to witness the special draw for Vodafone Savai'i Car promotion. 

He commended Vodafone Samoa for all their hard work and for not leaving their Savai'i customers behind, coming up with the idea to have a car as a major prize specifically for their Savai'i customers. 

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Samoa, Nofoasaefa Satish Sharma, said that it has always been their intention to give back to the community on a continuous basis. 

Nofoasaefa said they understand that Samoa's economy has been greatly affected because of the global pandemic which led to the closure of international borders and the lockdown, which has affected businesses across Savai’i.

Therefore, the idea to have a brand new car dedicated as the major prize for their customers in Savai'i was their way of lighting up the spirits of their customers in these difficult times. 

Nofoasaefa said they have seen that most of the time a person from Upolu won a car, therefore to ensure someone from Savai'i was given the opportunity, they offered a separate prize for their Savai’i customers.