Four generations of Tomaimano Paie and Ailua Luatuanuu gathered last Friday for their second family reunion.

According to family member, Faasula Luatuanuu, the Luatuanuu couple have seven children and they were all raised at Tufulele.

“The story of how my parents met was because my mother’s parents were pastors at Tufulele, which was my father’s village hence how they met, but my mother is from Safune.

“It has been a year of preparations and our children were in charge of planning and throughout 2018 was never-ending organising.

“There were 73 members of our family that have made it, our programme has been scheduled for three days and it officially started last Friday with an opening mass at the Catholic Church in Tufulele and then we blessed the unveiling of our parents’ headstones that have passed away for quite some time,” Faasula said.

Faasula said entertainment was provided by each of their children, which was very entertaining and was held at the St Therese Samoa Retreat and Accommodation.

“Yesterday we started off with everyone having breakfast then we had some fun games — where there were so many participants — later the children enjoyed games at the swimming pool too, which followed with lunch.

“The evening featured the kids watching movies while the elders enjoyed a game of bingo.

“The main objective of this reunion is uniting our children together, so that they will each be familiarised with each other, so that they may grow up in peace and harmony — and it is also important for them to know their roots,” she said.

The 59-year-old from Tufulele said that it brought great joy in her heart to witness the gathering of her family.

“We are a family, no matter where we are in the world. 

“Because it has just begun the children are still in the learning process which they stated that planning was a challenge for them. But they hope to plan for more reunions in the future.

“It is such a great opportunity to have our families overseas come to Samoa so that they are able to unite.”