Scores of children took advantage of the free hearing clinic held in Apia on Saturday and it was a chance to find out if any of the children could be helped, so hearing ailments do not impact their education.

This was also done to commemorate World Hearing Day.

Held at the Protestant Church in Vaisigano, the Women in Business Development Inc. (WIBDI) worked together with the not-for-profit organisation Senese Inclusive Education Support Services, Deaf Ministry of the Protestant Church as well as other partners in providing hearing aid services for anyone, especially children.

Olofetuutuulupetaua Sagato Vaoliko, Manager for Senese highlighted the significance of the World Hearing Day this year and stressed that they do it for the children who are the future of Samoa.

"Today is basically to commemorate the World Hearing Day on the 3rd of March and today aims to prioritize hearing and that's what we are doing now," he said.

"We are currently checking the hearing, trying out hearing kits, and cleaning ears, a service that Senese and the Ministry of Health are working together on as well as the ENT Department.

"Senese's service is particularly for children, checking their hearing to ensure that their hearing does not impact their education so every year on the 3rd of March, Senese and its partners celebrate this important day which vitalizes hearing in Samoa."

Next week, Senese will also carry out hearing check services for pre-schools across Upolu as they think it is important to start from an early age so their academic journeys will not be affected.

Meanwhile, there were over 100 people who turned up to the event on Saturday. World Hearing Day is celebrated every 3rd of March which this year falls on Sunday but because the service can not be carried out on Sunday, the check-up had to be carried out on Saturday.

However, the main celebration which will involve the blowing of the cake for the World Hearing Day will be carried out on Sunday at the Protestant Church.

Leader of the Deaf Ministry at the Protestant Church, Malama Parker emphasized on the importance of this special day and confirmed that there are currently approximately 30 members of the deaf ministry.