The Torch of Peace Campaign to End Violence against Women and Girls is believed to be the best solution to deliver the message and touch the hearts of many, says the president of the Samoa Victims Support Group (S.V.S.G.), Siliniu Lina Chang.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Sunday, Siliniu expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all the participants in the communities throughout the campaign despite that it has not come to an end yet.

She stressed that the campaign or initiative was the best way for children to understand the message and to instill that message into them as well as others in the communities.

"Seeing all those people who were confined to their wheelchairs, especially elderly people, come out of their houses and wave from their front yards in support of the initiative was just so emotional and overwhelming because that way we know we are doing the right thing and it is the best solution," she said.

"The initiative was also to focus on children and this was the best way of awareness to reach the minds and hearts of the children and seeing the children during the campaign and how they look and feel about the peace torch was just amazing.

"God did the most work for us throughout the campaign right from the start and we just delivered the message and if we ask ourselves, why all this struggle under the rain and the hot sun for this campaign, seeing those children and everyone out in the communities who participated gave us the answer."

Asked whether she sees a light at the end of the tunnel from the campaign, whether it will become a game changer in combating violence in the communities, Siliniu said "yes".

 Meanwhile, representatives of the New Zealand Police are in Samoa to participate and support the Torch of Peace Campaign against violence by the Samoa Victim Support Group.

The representatives arrived in time for the official lighting ceremony, to start the 10 days road trip by SVSG to raise awareness, to encourage and to unite our people in the ongoing community prevention programs.

The representatives of the NZ Police have been walking the roads throughout Upolu and onto Savaii, to support the national awareness raising Campaign.

Sergeant Ah Shew represented the NZ Police as one of the official Torch Bearers on Day One of the Campaign.

Following the return to New Zealand of the NZ Police Tag Team who visited the Campus of Hope earlier this year, they immediately organized a fundraising event at the South Auckland Police Station.

This weekend, more representatives from the NZ Police have arrived to take part in the Torch of Peace Campaign against violence, and at the same time, presented a donation of ST5,000 from the fundraising they held last month, to assist with the daily caring of the children at the Campus of Hope.

“Thank you to the NZ Police for supporting the work of SVSG, in particular, the shelter for the abused children.”

“You only visited the Campus once just last month, but it was enough to foster an ongoing relationship to assist the Campus of Hope.” said Siliniu.

The NZ Police’s representation at the Torch of Peace Campaign would not be possible without the financial support from the Pacific Assist New Zealand.