Marist Brothers Old Pupils Association (MBOPA) donated over $500,000 from proceeds collected during their centennial celebration.

MBOPA patron Afioga Tualatamalelagi Tom Annandale on 6 September presented $300,000 to the Samoa Marist Brothers Trust Board and Property & Finance Management Committee to assist with the renovation of the halls of the Marist schools.

St Joseph’s College was given $100,000 to assist with teachers’ salaries and administration costs and $100,000 to Marist Brothers Primary School to assist with teachers’ salaries and administration costs.

MBOPA through its General Executive on 12 September 2024 donated $5,000 to the Carmelite Nuns at Vailima and $5,000 to Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged.

Last month, MBOPA celebrated its 100th Anniversary in a week-long celebration. The celebration included giving awards to distinguished members, a music festival and an outrigger regatta to name a few.

Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai, President of MBOPA praised God for a successful centennial.

“The centennial was an opportunity to celebrate an important milestone, and to also raise funds to support our Marist schools,” he said.

“I want MBOPA to play a more active role in supporting the Marist Brothers to turn our schools into learning institutions of excellence, based on the Marist Spirit. I believe our schools still have the ability and potential to continue to produce great leaders for our nation.”

There are two schools run by the Marist Brothers in Samoa, St Joseph’s College at Alafua and Marist Brothers Primary School at Mulivai, Apia.

These are the only boys' schools remaining in Samoa.

According to Brother Sefo Une, the Coordinator of the Marist Brothers in Samoa, “The Marist Brothers’ aim is to improve our schools’ academic standards, discipline and resources.

“Such an aim requires money. So, we established our Property and Finance Management Committee to develop our properties and to raise funds to support our schools a few years ago.

“In that same vein, our schools’ Governance Board has gradually raised our school fees. We are also grateful for the support of MBOPA and their generous donations from their recent centennial.”

MBOPA extended their gratitude to God and those who supported their centennial such as families, friends, businesses and sponsors.