Two families in Samoa are the fortunate recipients of two water tanks courtesy of 49 students from American Samoa Community College in partnership with Brown Girl Woke (B.G.W.).

One of the two families who happily received water tanks was featured in Samoa Observer's Village Voice section last month. 

Semau Tavita of the village of Patamea shared details their daily struggles including life without clean drinking water most of the time.

The 64-year-old father said he was mainly concerned for his children’s health because without a safe water supply, they could be exposed to various illnesses.

"The problem is, there are days where we go without water supply for two to three weeks. As you can see outside, we have buckets and gallons of water," he said.

"When it rains we wash them and line them outside to gather and collect water because we don't have water supply every day. 

"However, during the dry seasons or when it's sunny all throughout without any rainfall, we would seek help from our neighbours with water tanks and ask them for water."

Semau said they have been dreaming of owning a water tank and that dream finally came true with the family-of-six now owners of a brand new water tank. 

The second family is a family-of-nine from the village of Lalomauga with the donation was made possible through the generosity of Professor Tala Ropeti Leo and her Introduction to Psychology Summer 2021 Students of Section 1 and 2 at American Samoa Community College.

They were able to raise the amount of $US2,218 which is equivalent to $5,682.18 tala for the B.G.W. water tank project. The B.G.W. is run by Maluseu Doris Tulifau. 

"Every semester they (A.S.C.C.) choose an organization to fundraise, and we are so honored to be the recipient of their summer fundraiser," said Maluseu. 

She used the opportunity to express her sincere gratitude to the efforts of the hard working students and everyone for the monetary donation, love and prayers. 

The donation, said Maluseu means a lot to her organisation, especially the recipients of the water tanks. 

Professor Tala and her students put together a video explaining their project and the mantra behind their generosity. 

Guided by a famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others," the students at A.S.C.C. have been carrying out multiple fundraisers for the cause.