German Government Funds Sagaga College Canteen

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 21 August 2023: The German Government through their Embassy in New Zealand has contributed $20,000 to complete a canteen for the Sagaga College while the school committee provided $7,826 for labour and materials needed for the project.

“This new canteen will ensure the students and teachers at Sagaga College can now eat in a cleaner and germ-free environment,” said the German Consul to Samoa, Tagaloa Christa Szegedi.

She acknowledged the support of the German Ambassador in New Zealand Her Excellency Nicole Menzenbach for endorsing and supporting the project.

She also acknowledged Debora Yaakoby of the Embassy who visited Samoa last year and got the support for this project with Sagaga College.

Germany is a former colonial ruler over Samoa and the two countries celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations last year.

“As part of these 50 years celebrations and milestone, the German Embassy in Wellington funded a total of 10 projects with different schools here in Upolu and Savaii,” said Tagaloa.

The Sagaga College students happy faces says it all.

As the two countries move forward, Tagaloa said it is vital that they continue to work together on different issues of common interest such as education, health, women empowerment and climate change and Germany will continue to provide assistance and support for Samoa in the years to come.

The partnership project would not have been possible without the support of the principal and the school committee. “I can honestly say this project with Sagaga College was one of the most efficient projects we have worked on and I thank the principal and school,” she said.

Tagaloa and family, who are also Samoan citizens, moved to Samoa in 1984 and will celebrate 40 years in Samoa next year.

“For us, it’s wonderful to be able to contribute to Samoa with a grassroots project like Sagaga College and our family will also continue in the years to come to find ways we can best give back and contribute to Samoa,” said Tagaloa.

College principal, Sita Asotasi Finau Mataumu expressed the school’s gratitude to the German Consul.

“Our heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity our school has from the German Embassy to finally establish a proper canteen for Sagaga College. We do appreciate and are genuinely grateful for this support in making this project a successful one,” said Mataumu.

“Our school is very fortunate and blessed to have received this assistance. We appreciate and are genuinely grateful for this support in making this project a successful one,” she said.