Armed with the conviction that investing in education is essential to Samoa's future, a former New Zealand soldier completed a grueling barefoot run around Savai’i’s perimeter to raise money for the local primary school.

Zane Langford and his Samoan wife, Lina, returned to the big island and her home village of Gataivai in 2020, where they have taken up residence and operate a small gym: "Atoa Fitness Gataivai."

Mr. Langford’s efforts spanned across five days and were the equivalent of running a marathon a day; all funds raised have gone towards the cause of building a new primary school for Gataivai.

The combination of his love of fitness and healthy lifestyles; his charitable instinct and his belief in the power of education gave rise to the "Barefoot Palagi Challenge".

Between 23 to 27 of August, he successfully ran around Savai’i’s perimeter with the goal of raising money for a new Gataivai primary school building.

"It is in a poor state of repair, it is situated on a flood plain that floods when there are heavy rains and it is no longer fit for purpose to serve the young people of the village," Mr. Langford told the Samoa Observer. 

"The village council has decided a new school should be built further inland, providing a better, multi-functional facility for students, teachers and other village groups.

"I believe that investing in our children as the future of this village is a great initiative. I put some thought into what I could do to serve my village and assist with this fundraising. 

"I enjoy running and love the beautiful island of Savai’i so I thought I could combine the two. 

"I [promoted the fundraiser...] to New Zealand and Australian citizens over social media to support the cause with donations."

Mr. Langford had run barefoot during the challenge and had been eating and drinking "only what could be sourced naturally from the land and sea" and he did not want to leave any “unnatural waste" around the island. 

Mr. Langford said the idea to run barefoot was "to prove to the people of Savai’i that you don’t need expensive equipment or shoes to improve your health and fitness. 

"All you need is the body God gave you and the desire to honor him by using it how it was intended every day,” he said. 

"The least amount of human interference the better. The best food grows on the people of Savai’i’s doorstep. It’s all the imported stuff that is making us unhealthy. 

"If locally grown food can fuel a run around Savai’i, it can fuel a normal working day for anyone."

He also said that his run was dedicated to the idea of preserving Savai'i’s environment. 

"Rubbish is everywhere on this island. It spoils the beauty of the place and harms the environment. Growing and eating our own food means we spend less, eat healthier, feel better, perform better and create less rubbish,” he said. 

"Everyone wins.

“For this reason, no food or drink that has been imported in any kind of wrapping or packaging will be consumed on this challenge."

Mr. Langford acknowledged the support and generosity of his family and other village members who offered support throughout the challenge. 

He said achieving his goal was only achievable with the support he had received from local and overseas supporters. 

"[I give] thanks to an outstanding support crew from Gataivai, excellent planning and coordination by my wonderful wife Lina, and most of all the generosity and support from the people throughout the beautiful island of Savaii and from our supporters in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States," Mr. Langford said. 

"A special mention must go towards the people of Gataivai who showed up in force on the final day to support the cause by running alongside or cheering and donating from their fale. 

"It really was special to see the village pull together as one to support the drive to invest in the future of the next generation. 

"The support from the village church minister, Reverend Tuivanu Tuivanu and wife Mati'amati'aitu'au, and his family by accompanying me on many parts of the run also deserve acknowledgment. 

"It was also great to see members of the support crew and friends and family from around the island get out and run or walk beside me and get their bodies moving to benefit their health which was a key message we were trying to [promote].”