Over 800 seasonal workers under the Falealili seasonal work programme donated SAT$9,000 in cash and kind to three local non-profit organisations.

The donation marks the first time this is being done under the programme, according to the programme's founder, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale who emphasised that this won't be the last.

The seasonal workers visited the Samoa Victim Support Group at Tuanaimato, Goshen Trust of Samoa as well as the Mapuifagalele Home for the Eldely and donated $3,000 cash each together with food and drinks plus home remedies. 

To top it off, the seasonal workers also provided entertainment at all three organisations, especially the elders at the Mapuifagalele Home of the Elderly who joined in and danced with the workers.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Tuatagaloa explained that it was the workers and the community who took the initiative to donate to the three non-profit organisations.

"It's very humbling because it's an initiative that was prompted by our community and our boys, they wanted to do this. It's very humbling and we're so happy for everybody, it's been a beautiful day too," he said.

"We went to SVSG first and it's just so beautiful watching those young kids dancing and singing and also them responding to our dancing and singing. 

"Then we went to the Goshen Trust and we did a similar presentation of food and some money to help their program and it was also very humbling seeing those who are not totally strong because of their mental health issues.

"Then we came to Mapuifagalele and it's so beautiful seeing their smiling faces. Everybody pitched in. The money and all the food and everything you see here now. 

"We gave the same amount to everybody because we wanted everybody to be the same and this will continue because these boys go away and they do so so well and they go overseas and they help their families and they come home and they want to give back."

Of the over 800 seasonal workers, half of the number are seasonal workers who are scheduled to leave for employment in New Zealand while those earmarked for work in Australia will also leave soon. The seasonal workers are from all over Samoa including Poutasi Falealili.

Meanwhile, Tuatagaloa added that at any one time, their programme would have around 800 seasonal workers employed in Australia and New Zealand.

"We learn from the many mistakes we made over time and that's undeniable but it's our members and people who make it what it is and they're so appreciative of the blessings that they've had from the programme and the committee and everyone is a very committed person," he added.

"Our programme is very holistic, trying to develop people too. A lot of people come to our programme as broken people and they've given up, then they go away and earn money and they all of a sudden find the means to help their families and change their ways and improve their lives.

"It's a wonderful platform to develop people and get them to change their ways and you see now that most of the men are very committed to their families and Samoa doing good things and I'm very humbled by that."

Representatives from the three non-profit organisations expressed their appreciation to the seasonal workers, Tuatagaloa and his programme committee and blessed their journeys and future with their families as they pursued greener pastures through seasonal work overseas for themselves and their families.