It’s that time of the year again. 

Once every year on the second Sunday of October, the whole country and also the Samoan community abroad commemorate White Sunday, celebrating our children. 

Referred to as “Lotu a Tamaiti,” in Samoan or Children’s Service in English, the general practice of the day is that children are given the opportunity to put together skits, songs, dances and recite verses from the bible. 

The children practice for several weeks before the big day, putting on skits from Bible stories, singing songs, and often the older children will be responsible for the day's sermon or message.

During the following to'ona'i or family feast the children are served first and in many families the children are excused from chores. It is a day where parents get to spoil their children by buying them new clothes, shoes and other treats. 

It is one of the busiest times in Samoa. 

The Samoa Observer caught up with some of the children shopping with their parents yesterday in the town of Apia. 

Maletina Kereti from the village of Leulumoega couldn’t stop smiling yesterday as she held a shopping bag with her new dress in it. 

“I am here with my mother, and she just bought me a new dress for Sunday,” the 12-year-old told the Samoa Observer. 

“I was happy when she asked me to come with her in town today and I love the dress she bought for me.”

Moreover, Maletina said she is looking forward to Sunday. 

“I look forward to White Sunday every year. This is because it’s not every day that our parents buy us expensive new clothes to wear on Sunday. 

“So I want to thank my parents for everything and thank God for His love.” Another happy child was Pita Tai from the village of Moata’a.  “The sun and the dust did not stop me and my mother from walking around town to look for new clothes for me and my siblings. 

“There are four of us, and we are all shopping for them. My three siblings are at home and I am here to accompany my mom. 

“White Sunday is the only time where we can choose whatever we want and our parents always buy us what we want to make us feel special.”