Samoa Independence Day

Samoa Independence Day and parade

June 2 marked the 61st anniversary of Samoa's Independence Day, celebrated with a parade down town  and entertainment for the dignitaries.  The Pesega School teachers all made matching shirts and tops to wear in the parade and on 'School Spirit Fridays'.  

We bought some beads from a local merchant to enhance our matching shirts.

Lava lavas are a much cooler option when marching in the hot sun. 

Henderson visit from New Zealand 

Elder and Sister Henderson, area coordinators for the church schools in the Pacific Area (Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Kirabati) visited from New Zealand.  They function similar to a school superintendent, and are from Cottonwood Heights, Utah.

Sauniatu Primary School Visit

We acted as chauffeurs for the Hendersons to visit the Church primary school in Sauniatu. It was a blast seeing the little elementary age kids in their classes, most of which had about 12 students.  

  

Above are 4th graders and to the right are the Kindergarten/1st grade age groups. Speaking English is a priority to help ready these children for further education. 

Two Angels looking over Sauniatu Cemetery 

While in Sauniatu we visited a grave site of a young girl, Wendy Nielson, who is buried there. These two graves were moved to Sauniatu when the temple was built.  Wendy was 18 months old when she died, and a relative of a friend we had while we served in the Seattle Temple.  She wanted us to look for Wendy's grave.  

Conferencing with the ITEP Missionaries (International Teacher Education Program)  

The Foleys  are from Vernal, Utah, and are helping with teacher education in Sauniatu.  

 The Rees, from Lewiston,Idaho, serve on the island of Savaii  
















The Starkes, from Portland Oregon, serve in Pesega School, and live next door.