Two Upolu primary schools were the grateful recipients of boxes of reading books as part of an ongoing project to boost children's literacy led by non-profit organisation Brown Girl Woke (B.G.W.). 

Maluselu Doris Tulifau, the founder of the B.G.W., told the Samoa Observer that Salelesi Primary School and Tuanai Primary School received five boxes each of books on Friday. 

Both schools welcomed representatives of B.G.W. with smiles and songs. 

The donation will benefit more than 400 students from both schools combined. 

“We have a donor from overseas that has been sending books to Samoa for a couple of years,” she said.

She added that the donor had decided this year to send the books to B.G.W.

“And we wanted to make sure that these books would be used by starting a reading programme that had our youth leaders come read once a month, also allow children to give us book reports on donated books and give incentives of school supplies if doing so. 

“We gave books that were appropriate for their age group and five boxes to each school of reading books.

“We started this project two years ago with former Miss Samoa, Sonia Piva having her sing songs and read books to our after school programmes.”

However, Maluselu added that due to COVID-19 last year, they suspended their programmes for one year that led B.G.W. to do more volunteer work.

“As things are getting back to normal we are implementing the program once again especially having overseas donors send relevant books that have kids wanting to read.

“Another benefit is having our youth members come to the school and read to the kids and give incentives for children to read by giving them school supplies.”

She shared that the significance of the project is the promotion of reading and having resources available for children to read. 

The founder of B.G.W. acknowledged Soti Fealofani from Brisbane for not only donating amazing children books to them but also making sure that the donors still send books to us even though she has moved away from Brisbane.

“At the moment, three schools will benefit from this project.

“If anyone would like to donate books to us please reach us at [email protected] or fb page.” 

B.G.W. has helped families on both Upolu and Savai’i through their organisation’s community-focused donations thanks to various donors mostly from overseas.