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SOFIAS visits the Pediatric Ward on New Year

As the first of their community service projects for the New Year, the Society of Fa’afafine in American Samoa (SOFIAS) visited the Pediatric Ward on New Year’s Day and handed out gifts to the youngsters, according to Princess Arrianna Auva’a, who said the gift giving was their "Toys for Tot's” New Year’s Day project.

 

There were a total of nine patients and each received a gift basket and gift bag. She explained to Samoa News this donation is to kick start their year as they continue with community projects leading up to their SOFIAS annual outreach program.

 

“This project was spearheaded by our reigning Miss SOFIAS, Roberta Fierce Laumoli, SOFIAS officers, Trina Tui and SOFIAS advisor Athena Mauga, with members Princess Auva'a, Eden Brown, Shanee Masoli, Kurtis Yandall, Tana Faumuina and visiting sisters from Hawai'i, Mia Fuala'au and Chrystahl Fiso.

 

“It is always an honor for SOFIAS to work and serve our community. “Our reward is the smiling faces from the young patients in the pediatric ward and the gratitude and appreciative thank yous from the parents of the children.”

 

A mother whose daughter received a gift basket was teary-eyed noting that she and her daughter are grateful SOFIAS had taken their time to visit the little ones. “If anything these gifts will lessen the pain they are going through, making it easier for the little ones,” said the woman.

 

SOFIAS’ motto is “Ia e ola malamalama I lou Fa’asinomaga” (Be of virtue and Pride in your identity). SOFIAS aims to align and work collaboratively with fa’afafine in the territory, Asia Pacific Region and the world.

 

“SOFIAS is an organization that focuses on improving life through the balance of our Samoan-identity and western influences. We are dedicated to building relationships grounded in the Samoan values, promoting a positive attitude towards the Samoan fa’afafine community, empowerment of people, protection of the environment and respect for cultural diversity in our community.”

 

The SOFIAS’ mission is to foster stable relationships amongst the fa’afafine community in the territory by providing educational outreach events, promoting maturity and respect towards others that will enable individuals to achieve educational goals and to contribute to the social and cultural well being of every fa’afafine that resides in American Samoa.

 

This is an annual activity for SOFIAS for the holidays and it’s funded with proceeds from the SOFIAS’ annual pageants that are well attended every year.