Community
Marist Gives Back to the Community
Apia, Samoa – 16 September 2024 – The Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association (MBOPA) has donated over $500,000 from proceeds collected during their recent centennial celebrations.
The bulk of the funds included $300,000 donated to the Samoa Marist Brothers Trust Board and Property & Finance Management Committee to assist with the renovation of the halls of the Marist schools.
$100,000 went to St Joseph’s College to assist with teachers’ salaries and administration costs; and $100,000 went to the Marist Brothers Primary School to assist with teachers’ salaries and administration costs.
MBOPA Executive Officers with Marist Brothers (left to right: Asuao Vou Allen Pupi (Assistant Secretary, MBOPA), Tevaga Viane Tagiilima (Assistant Treasurer, MBOPA), Br Afaese Afaese (Principal, St Joseph’s College), Br Sefo Une (Coordinator, Marist Brothers), Tualatamalelagi Tom Annandale (Patron, MBOPA), Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai (President, MBOPA), Br Siaosi Ioane (Principal, Marist Brothers School), Leituala Joseph Chan Ting (V/President, MBOPA), Fuiono James Westerlund (General Secretary, MBOPA) and Leota Ioane Maletino Kaisa (Treasurer, MBOPA).
The respective cheques were presented by one of the patrons of MBOPA, Afioga Tualatamalelagi Tom Annandale.
As well, MBOPA through its General Executive donated $5,000 to the Carmelite Nuns at Vailima and $5,000 to Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged.
MBOPA’s General Executive with the Carmelite Nuns, Vailima.
Last month, MBOPA celebrated its 100th Anniversary in a week-long celebration that included giving out awards to distinguished members, music festival and outrigger regatta to name a few. The centennial was well attended, with affiliates from overseas also taking part.
Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai, President of MBOPA praised God for a successful centennial.
“The centennial was an opportunity to celebrate an important milestone, and to also raise funds to support our Marist schools,” said Tuatagaloa.
“I want MBOPA to play a more active role in supporting the Marist Brothers to turn our schools into learning institutions of excellence, based on the Marist Spirit. I believe our schools still have the ability and potential to continue to produce great leaders for our nation.”
Brother Sefo Une (Coordinator, Marist Brothers) and Tualatamalelagi Tom Annandale (Patron, MBOPA).
There are 2 schools run by the Marist Brothers in Samoa, namely St Joseph’s College at Alafua and Marist Brothers Primary School at Mulivai, Apia, which are the only boys school remaining in Samoa.
According to Brother Sefo Une, the Coordinator of the Marist Brothers in Samoa, “The Marist Brothers’ aim is to improve our schools’ academic standards, discipline and resources. Such aim require money so we established a few years ago our Property and Finance Management Committee to develop our properties to raise funds to support our schools. In that same vein, our schools’ Governance Board has over the years gradually raised our school fees. We are also grateful for the support of MBOPA and their generous donations from their recent centennial.”
MBOPA extends their gratitude to God and those who supported their centennial such as families, friends, businesses and sponsors.
MBOPA’s General Executive with the Little Sisters of the Poor at Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged.
