The German Embassy in Wellington donated equipment to Falealili College, valued at approximately $28,000, primarily to help with computer learning.

Minister of State at the German Foreign Ministry Katja Keul handed over 15 Laptops, an air-conditioning unit and a printer for the school office.

It mainly aims to enhance the school's learning environment and cater to the growing demand for technology-driven education.

The assistance is also part of the German government’s support towards the education sector in Samoa as well as part of the German Embassy’s continued efforts in Samoa.

A handover ceremony and ava ceremony to celebrate the successful conclusion of the project was held at Falealili College.

In attendance at the ceremony was Minister of Communication and Information Technology Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, Minister of State at the German Foreign Ministry Katja Keul, Associate Minister for Education and Culture Agaseata Valelio Tanuvasa Peto, German Ambassador to Samoa Nicole Menzenbach, Special Envoy for the Pacific Islands States Dr. Andreas Prothmann, Consul of Germany to Samoa Tagaloa Christa Szegedi.

Ms. Keul’s visit marks the close cooperation between the two countries. On the agenda for the visit were – amongst others – a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa as well as the repatriation of a prow to Samoa.

Overall, the German Embassy has already funded 32 projects in Samoa since 2019.

With regards to the support for Falealili College, Ms. Keul stated “Digital skills, digital access in general and to build up and deepen knowledge in computer science is key to modern education in schools and college careers."

"Today’s digital possibilities can bring people together over long distances. That is great when we consider that Samoa and Germany are almost 16.000 km apart and just a mouse click away.”

With regards to the project and the State Minister Keul’s visit, Consul of Germany to Samoa Tagaloa Christa Szegedi said in her remarks, “It was a real honour to have the States Minister Keul and her delegation visit Falealili College to present the laptops to the college. It was also wonderful for States Minister Keul to take part in an Ava ceremony, to experience the Samoan culture and hospitality at Falealili. 

"Moreover, due to the support of German Embassy in Wellington, Falealili College now has better resources when it comes to providing students with a good foundation when it comes to computing.”