Sili Primary School gets early Christmas present from Germany

14 November 2024 – The Sili Primary School in Savaii has received $30,000 Tala worth of desks, chairs and some book shelves donated by the German Embassy in Wellington.

The donation is significant, as with several more weeks to the end of the 2024  school year, some of the students have come to experience the difference of sitting and using a desk and chair in classroom and years of sitting on the hard concrete floor.

According to the Project Manager to the German Consul’s Office in Samoa, Afoa Stefan Szegedi, “During a visit to the school the principal had asked if it’s possible for them to receive Desks and Chairs since in several classrooms the students still have to sit on the floor since the school does have enough desks and chairs.”

Thanks to the support of the German Embassy in Wellington the school now has 100 new desks and chairs.

Sili students showing their appreciation through dance.

On hand to present the chairs and desks, was the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Wellington Winnie Switakowski.

“The enthusiasm for learning that I have witnessed at Sili Primary School has inspired me as a diplomat and as a mother. By providing chairs, desks, and shelves Germany and Samoa can support these children together to develop their abilities fully and collectively invest into the promising future of our young generation,” said Switakowski.

Sili Primary School Principal, Vinepa Niniva expressed her sincere appreciation for the project.

“We are very grateful and appreciate the great support from the German Embassy in Wellington for donating these furniture’s for our students. On behalf of our school committees, parents, teachers we are so blessed.”

Attending the presentation ceremony at Sili Primary School on Monday this week, were the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labor and Member of Parliament for Palauli 2 Constituency, Leota Laki Lamositele Sio, the Minster of Education and Culture, Seuula Ioane, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Wellington, Winnie Switakowski and the German Consul to Samoa Tagaloa Christa Szegedi.