Children at the Campus of Hope Celebrate Palm Sunday

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 11 APRIL 2022: Christians around the world celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday as a lead up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

But it was extra special for a small group of children, who are rebuilding their lives as victims of abuse housed at the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) Campus of Hope at Tuanaimato. It was much more than a Palm Sunday.

It is a day to praise the love of God for the second chance given to them in life.

The founder and President of SVSG, Siliniu Lina Chang said this year’s theme is “Return Praise and Honour to Jehovah.”

“It is a special day for them to honour and praise Jehovah who has been the guiding light of their journey,” said Siliniu.

In the past before COVID-19 and the State of Emergency (SOE) orders, the campus used to provide special programs with visitors to help celebrate, but this year, it was a very low profile service.

Siliniu, known to the children as Mama Lina is currently in New Zealand and was emotional when she watched the video of the children waving palm leaves and singing “Osana! Ua afio mai Iesu le Tupu!” during yesterday’s service.

Most of the children range from babies to 16 years old and have gone through either abuse in the hands of family and close relatives or abandoned by parents as the Samoan family system is breaking up under a number of social and economic pressures.

With the number of such children increasing rapidly, SVSG stepped in and created an environment where the children can be safe and enjoy life like any other children.

Siliniu said it is the feeling of being able to help these young children pave the way for the future that has her and SVSG members strive to do whatever they can for them.

She acknowledged the continuing support of their partners and people who have assisted the various programmes for these children.