Staff and students at the Itu-o-Tane College at Avao in Savai’i are celebrating the opening of a new canteen, which comes close to half a century after the school's establishment. 

The canteen was built as part of a project undertaken by former students of the college with the assistance of parents and the community.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and his Cabinet Ministers also contributed monetary gifts towards the project, which enabled it to be completed in five months.

Last Thursday, Pastor Siaki Umaga of the Voice of Christ Church at Salei'a blessed and officially opened the school's canteen, enabling the school’s dream to become a reality.

School Principal, Laufou Alofipo Fa'amanu Manase, thanked everyone who contributed to the project on behalf of teachers, students and their parents. 

He said having a proper place for students to eat was a facility that the school needed for a very long time. 

"After 50 years, the school now has a proper place for our students to eat during lunch time," he said. "Before, students used to line up to a minivan where the food was sold then they would sit around the school compound and under the trees. That changes now with the opening of the first ever canteen for this school."

The newly opened facility also has chairs and tables for the students to sit on while eating.

School Head Boy, Ali Ali, was overwhelmed with excitement and said he was happy that the project was officially opened on his final year in College. 

He told Samoa Observer that the milestone will always be remembered as the first ever canteen was opened during their time. 

"We would like to thank everyone who started this project and helped make this dream come true. We will enjoy and use this wisely so it will last long for other generations in the future."