It’s that time of the year again when members of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa (C.C.C.S.) congregate in Malua for its annual conference.  

The Malua Theological College compound is already buzzing with activities as the biggest denomination in the country gears up for the convening of its Annual General Assembly (Fonotele) next week. 

The women have started the proceedings this week.

Yesterday, the yearly procession started with the C.C.C.S. Council of Women fellowship (Mafutaga aoao a Tina) service and meeting for its charitable arm, Tautua Puapuaga Tagata (T.P.T.).

More than a thousand wives of elderly deacons and Ministers and pensioner mothers gathered at the Fale o Tina on Wednesday to discuss several issues before the subcommittee conference begins.

The service also acknowledged the service of the outgoing Chair of the Council and welcomes the incoming Chair to carry the role until the next General Assembly. 

The first day of the conference saw the presentation of reports from various women’s Committees of the church.

 Every year during the General Assembly, the T.P.T. usually concludes with making donations to the National Kidney Foundation (N.K.F.) and Samoa's Health sector. 

Last year in September, T.P.T pledged $70,000 tala to the Government of Samoa and was accepted by the Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele. 

The donation was distributed as follows; $10,000 – for services for Samoa National Hospital at Motootua, $10,000 – for services for hospitals in Savaii, $30,000 – National Kidney Foundation (N.K.F) at Motootua and$20,000 – National Kidney Foundation (N.K.F) at Tuasivi in Savaii.

Valasi, on behalf of the Government, expressed the Government’s gratitude to the Tautua Puapuaga o Tagata (T.P.T) kindness and continued generosity to the Ministry of Health Foundations and the people of Samoa.

Aside from continued funding to support the Samoa Kidney Foundation year in and year out,  to sustain life-saving services to the local resident, Valasi also praised and acknowledged the Tautua Puapuaga o Tagata as one of the humanitarian Samitrians to the benefactors of the Kidney Foundations.