The Saint Joseph's College Class of 1988 and the Ka'akiamai Club donated $25,000 each to two faith-based organisations to assist them financially as part of their social responsibility and also to address the needy this festive season.

SJC class of '88 and Ka'akiamai Club had put together a fundraiser in Otara New Zealand which featured promising young artists who performed to a live audience.

Together they were able to gather SAT$50,000. They presented $25,000 to the Carmelite Sisters Monastery up at Vailima and $25,000 to the Little Sisters of the Poor at Mapuifagalele.

The President of the Saint Josephs Class of '88 in Samoa, Aumua Ming Leung Wai, presented the cheque to the charity organisations and said that giving to people was a lesson that he and his classmate grew up with their whole life.

"We were educated at the Marist Brothers School and then we moved up to Saint Joseph's College and one of the lessons they taught us was to 'be giving and to give back," he said.

"So we always tried to find ways to give back which was mainly through scholarships for the students. It was always about giving back to our Communities.

"Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive and for us who always try to give back, we always feel blessed by doing it.

"We encourage others that if you can fundraise and give back to your community, that would be very appreciative as that is what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had taught."

The Little Sisters of the Poor and the Carmelite Sisters both shared their utmost gratitude for such a timely donation as there is much work to be done.

The Little Sisters of the Poor is the only organisation in Samoa which look after the elderly. While the Carmelite Monastery is currently undergoing repairs and the nuns know that this donation would aid them in refurbishing the monastery.