Special guests and longtime friends of the A’ana district secondary schools visited the school with supplies and a $1,000 scholarship for the top year 13 student to assist in their tertiary education.

The principal for the Aana 2 College, Valuniu Etimani Faamoetauloa said they were honoured to host their visitors from New Zealand.

“Our gathering this morning is a product of our many years of friendship with them and has finally come to fruition since Covid held up our plans but God is good and he made sure to bring it to pass this morning and we are very grateful for the opportunity to fellowship with our friends from Papatoetoe, New Zealand,” he said.

“They have a great yearning to learn about our Samoan culture and language even though they stay overseas. They can come here and learn and in the same manner we can also learn from them their great hunger to learn about Samoa.

“Having this exchange with these schools is very important not only for them but for us here at A’ana 2 College. We pray that they enjoy their visit and that they continue to pursue knowledge in the Samoan culture and language.” 

The person in charge of the visiting school’s trip is Tima Morisa who is the Samoan language teacher at the Papatoetoe High School from the villages of Magiagi, Tufulele, Sapapalii and Palauli.

“We can teach as much as we want back home but there is nothing better for the students to actually see it for themselves. To be able to experience that and be able to bring the kids is an awesome experience,” he said.

“We’ve got a few gifts prepared for the school. The scholarship is for the top all rounder Year 13 student for the end of this year to further their study or career pathways and the discretion lies with the teachers and staff to decide who that one student is.” 

They will be visiting three schools altogether and also rewarding gifts and scholarships for the school and the top students.