It was a special trip for the 14 representatives of the Auckland Central Catholic Kāhui Ako (ACCKA) when they met with the children survivors of abuse who sought refuge at the Campus of Hope.

The visitors from New Zealand arrived for the much anticipated Samoa Malaga Tautua 2023 hosted by the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG).

Led by the Marist College of Auckland as part of the school’s ongoing partnership with SVSG, the trip has been delayed for two years because of border closure due to COVID-19.

SVSG and the ACCKA Malaga Tautua Coordinator, Makerita Tagomoa-Papalii of the Marist College put a lot of effort into coordinating the week-long malaga to realise sustainable benefits.

The delegation was welcomed by the children survivors of violence at the Campus of Hope, during a traditional ava ceremony performed by the children themselves.  Some of the former students of the Marist College, who visited the Campus during previous trips, returned as parents and as teachers.

Together, they experienced a day in the life of a child survivor at the Campus, as they helped with preparing the ‘umu’ for their lunch, climbed coconut trees, and taught the older children artwork skills while others opted to look after the babies at the nurseries.

The delegation met with the SVSG management to learn, discuss and share knowledge on the magnitude of SVSG’s support services in Samoa, and how the ACCKA Malaga can advocate for support upon their return home. 

“We are amazed to witness the progress in all the work by SVSG since the last time we visited in 2018. From the Campus to the Office to the Economic Empowerment of the Nofotane Women,” said Mrs. Tagomoa-Papalii. “We can only imagine the hard work translated into this progress, and we are glad to be a part of the support that has been there for SVSG.”

From serious business to fun activities, all of the children of hope including their carers were treated for a day at the beach by the visiting NZ schools. A trip to Savaii is included in the itinerary to complete the Samoa Malaga Tautua 2023.

Over the years, Marist College has been donating and fundraising in New Zealand for the SVSG.  The majority of these donations are to support the running of the Campus.

SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang acknowledged the long-term partnership with the Marist family in New Zealand.

“Thank you Makerita for extending your advocacy role for SVSG to include 14 other schools of the Auckland Central Catholic Kāhui Ako (ACCKA)," she said. "We valued the sincerity of the love shared throughout this partnership, and we look towards extending this partnership with students, teachers and parents of the schools represented in this Samoa Malaga Tautua."