Students of Sagaga College are celebrating and embarking on a healthier journey with the official opening of their new school canteen built at the cost of SAT$25,000.

Funded by the German Embassy in Wellington, the aim of the partnership project with the college was to build a new canteen for the students with the diplomatic mission contributing just over SAT$20,000 for building materials. The college and the school committee chipped in with SAT$7,826 which went towards labour costs and remaining materials needed to complete the project.

Consul of Germany to Samoa, Tagaloa Christa Szegedi explained that the significance of this project is for the students and staff to enjoy a germ-free environment during their academic journey while at the college.

“This project with Sagaga College had one distinct goal and objective. This was to build the new canteen for the college," she said. "This new canteen will ensure the students and teachers at Sagaga College can now eat in a cleaner and germ-free environment.

"Lastly this partnership that we have put in place with Sagaga College is for the benefit of the students and teachers. I can say with confidence that what we have created today will be of great benefit to the college in the years to come.    

"I also want to say a big thank you to Mrs Debora Yaakoby from the Embassy whose hard work and support made this project possible. In October last year, Mrs Yaakoby was able to visit Samoa and it was from this trip that we were able to get the support for this partnership project with Sagaga College."

Principal of Sagaga College Sita Asotasi Finau-Mataumu also expressed her sincere appreciation towards the German Embassy for providing a new start to a healthy lifestyle for the students and staff at the college. 

"Our heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity our school has from the German Embassy to finally establish a proper canteen for Sagaga College," she said.

"On behalf of Sagaga District, parents, children and staff we would like to thank the German Embassy in Wellington and the German Consulate here in Samoa for sponsoring our canteen and making it a special gift for all of us. 

"This project helps us change the future of many underprivileged kids by providing them with a healthy environment.  Our school is very fortunate and blessed to have received this assistance. We appreciate and are genuinely grateful for this support in making this project a successful one. 

"Because of this donation, we are able to honour this new building which we will use as a healthy and clean environment for Sagaga College.   Thank you so much for being such an example to our community and for inspiring us to work even harder to make a difference."

Meanwhile, Germany and Samoa last year celebrated an important milestone together. In May 1972 the two countries formally established diplomatic relations, with Germany becoming one of the first countries to do so after Samoa gained independence in 1962. 

As part of the 50 years celebrations and milestones, the German Embassy in Wellington funded a total of 10 projects with different schools here in Upolu and Savai'i.

As part of this milestone and celebration, Germany has continued to help support schools in Samoa, including Sagaga College.