Samoa honours Mothers

By Adel Fruean 09 May 2021, 4:00PM

Every year, Samoa celebrates Mother’s Day on a Sunday in the month of May. Samoa joins countries around the world in dedicating a day to honour all mothers and their contributions to families, churches, villages and society as a whole. 

Like any typical Sunday in Samoa, various church denominations host services. But for today, most churches gave thanks through prayer to God for the gift of mothers. 


Some churches allowed mothers to lead the church services through prayers, sermon or reading of the bible. While other churches performed skits and songs led by fathers, youths and children especially for mothers with the finale of giving each mother a candy ula. 

The rain in some areas of Upolu Island did not stop the procession of mothers walking to church, resplendent in their Sunday best. The favoured colours in the districts visited by this newspaper were white, yellow and green. 

One of the mothers, Telesia Seleni told the Samoa Observer that Mother’s Day is a special day she looks forward to every year. 

“As a mother, this is one day in a year that I can be spoiled and not have to do any chores,” she said.

The mother of four added that her usual Sunday chores are to wake up early to prepare the children for church and cook. 

“I am happy to admit that I had enough sleep, woke up got ready for church, I do not have to worry about the normal chores.


“It is not easy being a mother, there are times when you want to give up but you look at your family and realise this is your calling to care  for and love your family.” 

The 38-year-old also added that she also received gifts from her family, such as new shoes, dress and necklace. 

Another mother, Sala Mareko told this newspaper that having a day dedicated to mothers makes all mothers feel appreciated. 


“At times mothers tend to be busy doing chores around the house that they are forgotten and not checked on if they need anything or a break.

“I believe that mothers are important for any family because they do almost everything from looking after the children to the home environment to their husbands’ wellbeing. 

“It is like a having a job that has no days off but it is also a rewarding role because mothers tend to love more and their happiness is found within their families.” 

When asked what gift she would want, she said, “I already have everything I want and I am grateful to God for his blessings.”  

By Adel Fruean 09 May 2021, 4:00PM
Samoa Observer

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