Children housed at the Samoa Victim Support Group's Campus of Hope are the recipients of brand new computers to help with their learning and education.

Close to 70 children who are victims of abuse are residents at the Campus of Hope under the care of the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G.)

The surprise donation to the refuge centre was made by local company, Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.) at the launch of the S.V.S.G. Nofotane Group Online Market on Friday. The launch was held at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel and Bungalows. 

The S.S.A.B. Chief Executive Officer, Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai took two brand new computers valued at $4,500 to the launch last Friday with the donation a surprise for the non-government organisation.

The donation was made in response to a request received a week ago from the S.V.S.G. for two computers to be used by the kids at the Campus of Hope to help with their learning and education, according to a statement released by the company. 

The donation was well received by the Chairperson of the S.V.S.G. Board, Georgina Lui on behalf of the non-government organisation and their partners.

Expressing appreciation for the gesture by the local company, Ms Lui said they are grateful for the support that S.S.A.B. continues to give to the organisation.

It is not the first time for the company to make donations in support of ongoing support of literacy and education programs in the country.

According to Tofilau, literacy and education are important for her and her company as they impact the lives of the children. 

“I always try and help when it comes to projects pertaining to the promoting of Literacy and enhancing educational opportunities for the children of Samoa,” she said. 

The businesswoman also challenged the general public including the business community to help by donating more computers to educational facility set up the S.V.S.G. within their refuge centre. 

Tofilau added that S.S.A.B. will make an appeal on its Facebook page to its 80,000 followers to donate computers to the S.V.S.G. learning centre. 

The S.V.S.G. currently runs Samoa's only refuge centre for victims of domestic violence as well as abused children. According to data provided by the Group, a total of 16 cases of domestic violence were reported during April.

However, three weeks into May and 28 cases of domestic violence have been recorded by S.V.S.G.'s casework database coming through their Helpline from 1-19 May 2022.

This is an increase of 75 per cent in domestic violence cases reported through its Helpline toll free number between April to May 2022 during and after the COVID-19 lockdown.