The achievements of a church minister, who had a big footprint in Samoa’s public sector and was also a notable Samoan short stories writer, have been celebrated one year after his passing.

The late Reverend Lotuotamaiti Uele of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) passed away in early September 2020 after serving the community for more than two decades.

Prior to becoming a church minister, Mr Uele was a clerk at the Prime Minister’s Office (1970-1972), clerk of the Bills and Public Accounts Committee at the Legislative (1972-1974) and Secretary of the Transport Control Board (1974-1978).

He was also a writer who penned inspirational short stories in Samoan which are still played today on the “Palolomua” segment of the Government-owned 2AP radio station. 

Some of his most popular stories include “Maua mea uma ae le toe maua matua”, “Ua aau aau taunuu ile nuu o Ape” and “Samoa ma ona tupalaga a taeao”.

During Rev. Uele and Ane’s time in the church, he started a scholarship program with the Tangaroa College in New Zealand, where two students were awarded to undertake studies abroad.

The late reverend would have celebrated his 74th birthday on Wednesday, but this did not stop his family from gathering to remember him as a role model, who served Samoa and God to the best of his ability.

A birthday cake was made by the family on Wednesday to remember their late father and grandfather.

The family of the late reverend said his work at the Vaiala C.C.C.S. is reflected in the children and youth of the village and beyond, particularly in the spheres of education, sports and dancing.

One of the late pastor's sons who also took after his father and became a church minister, Rev. Iese Uele, told the Samoa Observer in an interview that he could never surpass all the good deeds and work his father did during his lifetime.

“He was a very industrious person who always thought things through and planned ahead,” he told this newspaper. “He started a lot of projects for Vaiala C.C.C.S. Youth Group and encouraged development in the village.”

Rev. Uele also said his father wasn’t academically gifted, but this did not deter him from giving his best to achieve his goals, and this was reflected in his determination to get into Form 5 back in the days.

“My father told me that he wasn’t initially accepted into Chanel College in 1968 because he didn’t pass the entrance examination for Form 5, but he still went to school even though he wasn’t on the school’s student roster,” he said.

“He was sent home every time he was caught, then Chanel College's principal at the time Father Doherty took pity on him and accepted him to continue on to the Form 5 level because of his perseverance and determination to attend class.”

Rev. Uele – who is the fourth pastor in a line of reverends from his great grandfather, his grandfather and his late father – said the blueprint for him to serve as a pastor has already been laid out.

"He has left us to be with our heavenly father but his teachings will always be with us (his family) in our hearts forever," he said.