An 84-year-old Marist Missionary Sister serving in the Missionary Sister of the Society of Mary (S.M.S.M.), Sister Maria Mulipola urged parents not to neglect their children in this changing world.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Sr. Maria was queried about a possible solution to overcome children dropping out of school, taking drugs, and their involvement in the increasing number of crimes in Samoa. She said it all starts in the families.

"This world is forever changing and so many challenges come in as years go by hence why the number of crimes continue to increase unlike how life was back then, it was very simple," she said.

"When it's time for evening services, the parents will say their prayers with their children, wake up in the mornings with a prayer, and that kind of lifestyle was instilled in us and we lived by it because our parents made sure they were there and we were there.

"I understand nowadays, the parents are always busy finding greener pastures for their families and children but at the same time, most think that leaving their children be is okay but make sure at the end of the day, your children are there for evening service, set some boundaries."

Sr. Maria recalled life as a child and a teenager on Manono Island, where she is originally from, her religious parents would wake her and her siblings up for a prayer to start their day and end the day with a prayer.

She said the roles of the parents with their children in their communities and keeping them in their homes strengthen their relationships with their children.

She said youth experience difficulties in their families as they no longer have that connection with their families in their homes.

Meanwhile, Sr. Maria is one of the longest serving missionary sisters of the S.M.S.M in Samoa. She served in different schools in Samoa both in Upolu and Savaii after she returned from various trips overseas for training as a missionary sister.

She joined the sisterhood when she was 21-years-old.

She emphasised upon S.M.S.M's celebration of their 160th anniversary that the missionary sisters' service in Samoa has seen numerous achievements over the years.

She added that one of their goals is to boost the spiritual side of the schools they established, St. Mary's Primary School in Savalalo and College in Vaimoso.