The service and dedication of a former teacher, principal, and Sister of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary has been recognised by the Samoa Government.

Sister Emanuela Betham, who is approaching 90 years old, will be awarded one of the special awards on Wednesday evening. She is among "exceptional Samoans" who have been chosen as recipients of the Government's Honours and Award that is making a comeback this year after a six-year hiatus 

For almost 70 years – she has been making a difference in the lives of hundreds of Samoans – serving as a teacher, principal and a Sister of the S.M.S.M. Sister Emanuela has shaped the lives of many Samoans, some of them going on to become leaders in the Government, private corporations, multinational companies, churches, and villages and around the world. 

She hails from Leagiagi Aleipata and Leone and is the daughter of the late Gus Victor Betham and Sesilia Betham. From her humble beginnings at Saleaumua Primary School, Sr. Emanuela’s life has been one well lived.  Serving her God, she has spent time in Rome, many European countries, as well as the United States of America. But her heart has always been for Samoa. 

In 2017 the Samoa Observer recognised Sr. Emanuela's service to the country and made her "Person of the Year". 

Sr. Emanuela devoted her life to being an educator and sister of the Order of S.M.S.M. at the tender age of 19 in 1955 when she entered the Convent. At the time, she believed that it was vital for Samoa and Samoans to be educated, and informed and become resilient people who could stay united to overcome crises and adversaries. 

In an interview with this newspaper at the time, Sr. Emanuela said she was given the nickname “Amin” by her past pupils from St. Mary’s College. Yes, that is “Idi Amin” after the Ugandan dictator. It is a story Sister Emanuela re-tells with a giggle. She is a woman who wears many hats and don’t be fooled by her gentle smile. 

Her reputation for being a tough educator precedes her. She has been identified as an exemplary teacher by her past students fortunate enough to have experienced the tough-love approach she is famous for. 

On a personal level, Sister Emanuela has had to overcome many challenges. In the early 1990s, she hit a bump on the road when she discovered that she had breast cancer, which resulted in a mastectomy and a three-year course of chemo.

“I had just come back from Rome when I noticed a symptom in my breast but I kept pushing it back because in those days you never really heard much about cancer,” she said. “On a plane ride back from New Zealand I read a Women’s Weekly magazine and I saw a write-up about the symptoms of breast cancer and there I saw one of the signs I had glaring back at me in this list.

“I came back to Samoa and saw the doctor and I asked him about this symptom and he told me to go back to New Zealand straight away. I didn’t want to tell anyone but my sisters and I told them not to tell my mum because in those days when you mention cancer – everyone thinks you were going to die – even I thought the same. 

“When I went back to New Zealand I was told that I would need to have a breast removal and I was afraid.”

For the first time in her life, Sister Emanuela admitted she felt afraid for herself but it didn’t last long because predictably, she became distracted by the pain of others.

 “I remember that,” she said. “I wanted to come back to Samoa and I want to shout it out to all the young women to go out and test themselves because while I was going to get my x-rays done, I saw a couple of beautiful young women crying and I thought to myself - this is terrible for them.

“I mean for me, I am a Sister and I don’t have a family or a husband or anything like that to be concerned about. But these women have their families or a boyfriend. They were in tears, and my heart went out to them, if mine was so small I must warn the young women of Samoa to test themselves because I think you take it for granted that it wouldn’t happen to one of us.

“When I look back on my long life and most of it has been in the Convent, I really feel that God has done great things. So many, many great things that happened to me in my life that I cannot say anything but thank you.” 

The other awardees to be recognised on Wednesday evening include Gatoloaifa'ana Tilianamua Afamasaga, Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe, Tusani Iosefatu Reti, Asi Tuiataga James Blakelock, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale, Rev. Tupu Folasa II, Rev. Tautiaga Senara, Brother Kevin O'Malley, Asuao Ta'alili Williams, Luaipou Sallu Betham, Solialofi Papali'i Pisimaka, Sapa'u Lilomaiava Vitale, and Tuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork.