The Iulio-Laoa family in Saoluafata were very emotional as they bid farewell to a United States Peace Corps volunteer hosted by them. 

The volunteer came with the name Kiana Mochitani but is leaving the family as Ana. 

The mother of the household, Viona Iulio Laoa said their relationship with Ana had grown stronger over the past few months they have hosted her. 

She said Ana had become a daughter to her and a sister to her children and she had witnessed how hard Ana strived to learn the Samoan language.

"This is the first time our family has hosted a Peace Corp volunteer and it has been a very meaningful experience. It's a pleasure for our family to host one. We stayed together, we taught her our language and our way of life," she said.

"When Ana was with us, she was very passionate about learning the Samoan language. In our family, none of us speaks English, we spoke in our mother tongue. From Ana's first time at our home to today, our relationship with Ana has grown stronger. She is like a child that we birthed, and a sister to my kids.

"She came to us and she adapted to our lifestyle very fast. It's like she was born a Samoan. She washed the dishes, cleaned the house, and did all the Samoan chores, Ana has already done it all. But it warms our hearts that Ana will now move to Savaii, but we've already done something for her."

Viona said that her family will surely miss her. They will be in contact and Ana has promised them she will visit them during her break. 

"We will miss her. And we will visit her when we can. Ana has already said that during her break she will come by and visit us at Saoluafata. Our door will always be open for her. She will always be part of our family."