The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (L.D.S.) has donated a hundred chairs and desks to Vailoa Primary School.

The school lost its classrooms to a devastating fire in January last year and was able to re-open for classes this year after new classrooms were built.

The L.D.S. Welfare Self-Reliance Manager, Dr. Luamanuvae Kapuana Ainuu, told Samoa Observer that the church works in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.) and they are always on the lookout to assist schools.

“We looked out for the need that comes from the schools and when the needs come into our office we allocate them and in partnership with the Ministry of Education, we allocate the schools and this is one of the projects that have come through,” he said.

According to Dr. Ainuu, the church looks for those who are in need of assistance and if any of the schools have a need, they make a request and the church decides how they can assist in consultation with the M.E.S.C.

When asked if the LDS will continue to assist Samoan schools in need, he said: “That’s correct.”

Vailoa Primary School Principal, Tialino Lemafoe Leileituala, expressed her appreciation to the L.D.S. for the donation of the student chairs and desks.

“We first of all give thanks to God for his love and kindness and for the donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” she told Samoa Observer in an interview.

"Today is a day of blessings because of these desks and chairs that we have received. We are really grateful for the donations and we will make sure that we use it wisely in order to educate the students of Vailoa Primary School.”

Local Member of Parliament Leatinu’u Wayne So’oialo, whose constituency includes the school, witnessed the presentation on Wednesday and thanked the L.D.S. in a post on his Facebook page.

“When the school was burnt to the ground, the school committee was struggling to get replacement furniture for the school. The L.D.S. was approached through its assistance programs if they could please help,” he stated in his post.

“Vailoa Primary School was very fortunate to be selected as one of the many recipients throughout the country from this amazing programme. On behalf of Vailoa Faleata village, the school committee, principal, teachers and parents, we thank the L.D.S. Church from the bottom of our hearts.”