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ASG donates $100K to Manu Samoa — where did it come from?

[l-r] Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega MaugFirst Lady, Cynthia Malala Moliga with Samoa’s Associate Minister for the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi Male cabinet members throwing cash into a wheelbarrow
Cabinet members pitch in over $2,600 — separate from the $100K check
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Government donated $100,000 to Samoa’s national rugby team, Manu Samoa, during a telethon and radiothon fundraising event yesterday at the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei, where a separate wheelbarrow donation from cabinet members raked in just over $2,600.

Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, received $5,000 for his “sua” presentation, while traveling members of his delegation, including some Manu Samoa officials, got $400 a piece.

There was also a second wheelbarrow donation, in which envelopes, believed to contain cash, came from other cabinet members. That total donation was not announced yesterday.

ASG’s large donation quickly made it on social media and attracted a wide range of comments, because the fundraising special meeting — attended by Tuilaepa along with Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga — was broadcast live on KVZK-TV, which also streamed the event live online.

A memo to cabinet members early this week from the Governor’s Office stated that the cabinet meeting venue is changed from the airport to Su’igaula o le Atuvasa.

“Our neighbors, friends and family from Samoa have requested our assistance with fundraising efforts for Manu Samoa,” the memo said. “We are sure you will want to participate in this worthy effort and will come properly prepared.”

The event kicked off around 6:30a.m yesterday at the Fale Samoa at Utulei Beach, with a prayer service, where Manu Samoa official Namulauulu Sami Leota spoke on behalf of Tuilaepa, who later attended with cabinet members.

Namulauulu told the gathering that they are here to seek financial support from “our brothers and sisters in American Samoa” to help finance Manu Samoa’s participation in the Rugby World Cup, held every four years.

He said it’s very costly to send the team to compete in this global event and Samoa had just recently hosted the Pacific Games. Therefore, he said, financial support is needed by Manu Samoa, which he noted, represents not only Samoa but American Samoa.

CABINET MEETING

After the prayer service, the cabinet meeting followed, and one of the issues on the agenda was the Manu Samoa fundraiser. Lolo reminded directors that the two Samoas have a longstanding relationship and this is the first time that Tuilaepa has requested help from the Lolo Administration for this special event.

Lolo recalled that he met with Tuilaepa in 2013 — the year in which the Lolo Administration took office — in Apia. And during the meeting, Lolo said Tuilaepa told him to call on him if the governor needed his help.

In response, Lolo said he shared with Tuilaepa the lack of air service between Tutuila and Manu’a for the previous two years and requested the Samoa government help through Polynesian Airlines, which is now Samoa Airways.

Later, airline officials visited the territory and Polynesian started operating the Manu’a air route, Lolo said, and reiterated that this is the first time in his administration, that Samoa has requested American Samoa’s help, and “we are responding to our brothers and sisters”.

Jokingly, Lolo said if the Manu Samoa is defeated in a match, it’s a defeat not only for Upolu and Savai’i, but also for American Samoa. (This brought laughter from directors.)

Lolo requested cabinet members to work together with their colleagues in Samoa to find ways to benefit the two Samoas.

FUND RAISING MEETING

Thirty minutes after the cabinet meeting, Tuilaepa arrived in Utulei to start the fundraiser, where Lolo delivered a lengthy Samoan salutation. He said Tuilaepa, considered a father figure for the two Samoas — is an outstanding leader and is well respected in the Pacific.

ASG Medicaid Office director, Sandra King-Young along with other cabinet members throwing cash ($20 bills) into a wheelbarrow yesterday morning during the ASG presentation of the ‘ava for a Manu Samoa fundraising event attended by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Th e wheelbarrow donation netted more than $2,000 from cabinet members, while ASG’s official donation was $100,000. [photo: FS]

Lolo personally thanked Tuilaepa publicly for helping Manu’a with its air service, but suggested that Samoa Airways management revisit reducing airfare rates, as it has increased since service began a few years ago for Manu’a.

Tuilaepa expressed sincere appreciation to Lolo and ASG’s reception in all-out efforts to help with the fundraising. He said when he requested the governor’s permission to hold a fundraiser in American Samoa, he was thinking of setting up a table under a tree. (That comment garnered some laughter from the crowd).

However, what he received was a “much higher honor,” said Tuilaepa, who noted that “Manu Samoa” carries the name “Samoa for all of us” whether the team wins or loses.

During a special ‘ava presentation, a wheelbarrow was pushed through the tent where cabinet members threw in cash donations, which totaled a little over $2,600.

The fundraiser ended after 6p.m yesterday and the total amount collected was not available at press time.

First Lady, Cynthia Malala Moliga (far left, front row) led the local delegation - including some cabinet members and Miss American Samoa Magalita Johnson - who joined officials of Samoa’s national rugby team, Manu Samoa, during a 6:30a.m. prayer service yesterday before kicking off the Manu Samoa local fundraising event (telethon/radiothon). Samoa Rugby Union chairman Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also Samoa’s Prime Minister, had sought the governor’s assistance for the fundraiser, which was held inside the Fale Samoa at the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park in Utulei. Later in the morning, during the special public meeting between Tuilaepa and Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga along with ASG cabinet members, ASG announced its donation of $100,000 to the Manu Samoa team. [photo: FS]

BACKGROUND

Samoa News should point out that the 100 plus delegation of local athletes and officials that recently participated in the 2019 Pacific Games hosted by Samoa were given $20K by ASG. This has led to negative comments on social media, including phone calls to Samoa News about the $100K donation to the Manu Samoa as compared to the help to the territory’s athletes.

Another question still to be officially answered is where the $100K was drawn — from what account?