Manua Fetineiai and her family from Falevao have their challenges, but all those worries disappeared when Island Rock staff and media representatives arrived.

Her family was one of three who received food hampers like a box of tinned fish, noodles, box of crackers, sacks of rice, sugar as well as toys for the children as part of the local company’s 25 Days of the Spirit of Christmas Campaign. 

The campaign targeted families that were featured in the Village Voice column in the Samoa Observer this year.

Speaking on behalf of Manu’a family was her mother, 51-year-old Lepeka Keniseli, who expressed her gratitude on behalf of the family. 

“Firstly, I am shocked with these gifts, I did not expect something like this, because apparently I was not here when Samoa Observer came across my family in which my daughter represented us in relaying concerns we face as a family.

“We acknowledge the assistance by Island Rock in gifting us with enough supplies to last through the holidays.

“May God continue to bless your company for sparing a thought to those in need and have nothing to give back,” she said.

Lepeka said their family had lived there for more than 20 years and still have no access to clean drinking water.

“As my daughter had stated in her previous interview with Samoa Observer, we only have access to untreated water—meaning we have to boil the water first before we consume it, so we will not be sick.

“It makes it worse that we have a full house, there are 10 of us living together and the water we use has to be allocated to various uses.

“We need water for bathing, cooking, washing dishes and clothes but then we have my elderly mother that we are currently taking care of,” she added.

Tapunuu Kevin Iene, an Island Rock representative, told the family that their campaign focused on giving back to the community.

“Our company wishes to spread the spirit of Christmas with giving to selected families and organisations that deserve to celebrate the joy of Christmas with everyone else. 

“The campaign is ongoing for 25 days from the 30th of November to the 24th of December and it will feature a variety of programmes and activities,” he said.