Two educational institutions in Samoa are the recipients of SAT$160,000 in funding assistance, courtesy of the Marist Brothers Old Pupil Association (M.B.O.P.A.).

The M.B.O.P.A. on Wednesday donated $80,000 to the Marist Brothers Primary School and another $80,000 to St. Joseph's College at Alafua. 

The funding for the schools was raised from a raffle fundraising drive that the association ran in recent months with a 2023 New Generation Ford Raptor valued at $270,000 the major prize on offer for the winner. 

The presentation on Wednesday at the respective educational institutions was attended by the staff and the students at Mulivai and Alafua. 

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, M.B.O.P.A President, Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai highlighted the association's continued assistance for the school and the rationale behind them stepping forward.

He said the schools, through education, have enabled its past and present students to reach their goals and provided the guidance needed for such a crucial stage of their education as students.

The funding assistance from the M.B.O.P.A. will be channeled to teachers' salaries and materials to fix the schools' facilities, which Tuatagaloa indicated are areas that the association wanted to address.

“While other schools are doing their small projects like these, the M.B.O.P.A. has its concerns about the teachers because they are teaching and are building the future of every student,” he said.

Tuala Tamalelagi – one of the longest-serving members of the M.B.O.P.A. who also attended the presentation with Tuatagaloa – presented the signed cheques to the principals of both Marist Brothers Primary School and St. Joseph's College.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer after the presentation, Marist Brothers Primary School principal, Brother Siaosi Ioane said teacher salaries continue to be an issue for schools in Samoa and the funding from M.B.O.P.A. will assist.

He said the funding will also be used to get new materials to fix up facilities whose condition has deteriorated and needed to be maintained. 

“I thank the Old Pupils Association for their contributing hands to donate such an amount to the school. I am elated and grateful and so is the staff," Brother Siaosi said. "We have waited for assistance to address the salary issue and now is a good time to do that. 

"This will also enable Marist Primary School to get new material to do maintenance of our facilities as currently, they are either rusty or damaged by past students."

The St. Joseph’s College principal, Brother Afaese Afaese expressed similar sentiments, having been the recipient of funding from the M.B.O.P.A. 

He said the purchasing of new materials and more resources for the college's students is now a priority following the presentation of the cheque. 

“We have asked for funds but we are grateful for this opportunity for St. Joseph to build up again for their curriculum to go smoothly,” he said.