A fundraising drive to finance an upgrading of facilities at Moamoa Theological College has raised over $500,000 tala with the organisers expecting the total to increase as more pledges are received.

Members of the Moamoa Theological College’s Development Committee have advised that the fundraising drive on Saturday 16 July 2022 has so far collected $507,550.80 from the televised telethon.  

Pledges not only came from the local community but it was also from college partners who live in New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa, the U.S. and around the world.  

As for American Samoa, Bishop Brown, Monsignor Viane Etuale, Fr Kolia Tumanuvao and Ms Monica Miller were the main points of contact for the fundraising drive.

Deacon Fata Samuelu Lolagi said that they’re still receiving pledges from overseas as well as from members of the church locally.

“These are the people who have just found out about the fundraising and they’re asking us to accept their pledges,” he said. 

With the Development Committee continuing to receive pledges, they believe the total raised already will increase within the next two weeks. 

According to Tuiaopo Faamausili Andrew Ah Liki, who is the Chairman of the Development Committee, their main target is $3 million tala so the fundraising drive will be an ongoing event.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done up at the college, hence why we will continue this fundraising until we have fully upgraded what needed to be done up at the school,” said Tuiaopo. 

Fr Pesamino Victor, the Principal of Moamoa Theological College, expressed his sincere  gratitude to everyone who made pledges to their fundraising drive. 

“We are indeed grateful for the love shown by our people, not only here in Samoa, but to everyone who resides overseas who were calling in to pledge for our event,” he said. 

For the short period of time that we have prepared for this event, we are blessed to receive such an amount. 

“Faafeati le Alolofa, Faafetai le Foai, Faafetai le Agalelei. May our good Lord continue to bless everyone who has shown their support to our fundraising.”

Members of the Committee include Chairman Tuiaopo Faamausili Andrew Ah Liki, Cabinet Minister La’auli Leuatea Polataivao, Fr Pesamino Victor, Vicar General Fr Pio Galumalemana, Chancellor Fr Spa Silva, Fr Eteuati Vui Lapa, Deacon Fata Samuelu Lolagi, Fr Moe, Tauiliili Ruth Thomsen, Leiataua Aldin Godinet, Nu’ualia Joshua Simanualii Lutu, Tuu’u Tofaeono and Faalogo Kapeli.

The funds raised through the fundraising will go towards the development, upgrading and renovation of the students’ residential homes, church and classrooms within the college.