Falefa Primary School is the recipient of a new school building valued at US$135,525 ($342,000 tala) courtesy of the Embassy of Japan.

The school’s Principal Mesepa Su'a expressed her appreciation to the people of Japan and made specific mention of Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa, Genichi Terasawa and his staff members.

"I am honored to speak on behalf of my village Falefa, the school committee and all the stakeholders who lent a hand to make this project much easier,” she said at the ceremony to mark the handing over of the completed school building.

“Your Excellency, Ambassador of Japan here in Samoa, name, Honourable Minister of the M.E.S.C. Loau and the Prime Minister Tuilaepa. 

“It is a great honor and privilege to speak on behalf of the recipient of this great, wonderful, and fabulous project.”

Su'a, in her speech directed to the Ambassador, said the new school building is what they’ve always dreamt of for a long time. 

“This is what I've dreamed of for a long time but thank you so much Your Excellency for making all my dreams come true. 

“May the Loving hands of our dear Lord bless Japan and its people. Faafetai, faafetai, faafetai tele lava. God bless."

Mr Terasawa, in response, said he was grateful to have been able to help out with the development of the building for the Falefa Primary school students.

The Anoamaa No. 1 Member-elect Alaiasa Moefaauo Sepulona Moananu was also given the opportunity to speak at the ceremony. 

"When I got appointed as a Member of Parliament, I visited this school and I noticed the things that needed renovation and improvements.

“So I had a talk with the principal and a few members of the staff on the things that needed adjustments, this was where this whole idea was initiated for this event.”

Alaiasa indicated that the discussions to seek Japanese support began as far back as early 2019 at the Sagone Primary School where he also met the Ambassador.

"Early 2019, we went to the opening of the Sagone Primary School, and we were there with the Ambassador, and the talks of the project started from there on whether they can help us,” he said. 

"For our village's understanding it was in 2007 that we opened our new building from the Japanese too, so that is why we were looking for an opportunity to seek their assistance again and they responded they can so in 2020 our proposal was sent in for approval."

But that was not the only hurdle they had to overcome with the requirements of the Planning and Urban Management Agency [PUMA] also needing certification.

"There are a few expenses that need to be paid, like the artist who will be drawing the picture, the payment for the PUMA license, the S.F.E.S.A. license, and so forth. It probably cost the MP $5,000 but I pray that that money can be fulfilled in the future.

"In February 2021, I received the call that they have approved Falefa's proposal. On the 11th of March, the contract was signed with the Ambassador to hand over the funds. T

“The total amount of funds from the Japanese Embassy for this project is US$135,525 converted to the Samoan T$342,000 so that is how much money was spent on this whole project."