SAMOA KIDZ LIBRARY APPEAL

Leapai Richard Brown of ASA Foundation as part of the MEASLES SAMOA FUND APPEAL (MS19) and relief work presenting a donated coffin from Kiwi Coffin Club to Tusipelo and Silia Tusipelo, parents of baby Maita who passed away of measles this week.

ASA Foundation and partners have been on the ground in Samoa for 6 weeks now providing financial assistance, coffins and aid supplies to families that have lost a loved one to measles, also supporting local not for profit partners and the Mental Health Service. It has been a life changing experience for many.

ASA Foundation has been fielding a lot of queries from Samoans and friends of Samoa overseas wanting to go across to help since early November.

You now have that opportunity to join ASA Foundation volunteers and donors as part of the ASA FOUNDATION FLYING VOLUNTEERS, tasked with the distribution of close to 50 pallets of aid supply in partnership with the National Emergency Operation Centre and local groups. You will get to meet the families that we’ve been assisting, also the frontline health staffs and volunteers in Samoa.

Yes anyone is welcome to be part of this humanitarian work experience. The first group is to work in Samoa between the 9th - 12th January. Another group is scheduled for the last week of February.

Flying Volunteers organise and pay for their own travel and accommodation while ASA Foundation will look after transport and food during the 4 days volunteer work in Samoa. Volunteers can travel early then join in the 4 days work, while others may want to be there for the 4 days then stay on for a few more days to visit families.

For more information about the ASA Foundation Flying Volunteers, contact Tofilau Esther Tofilau on (+6421) 0292-6670 or email esthertofilau007@gmail.com if you wish to join the ASA Foundation Flying Volunteers.

For 5 weeks ordinarily people have been doing some extraordinary work in collecting aid supply for Samoa. The first container of four; containing nappies, wipers, children care supply, masks, gloves and hospital supply has already been distributed in Samoa. All this would not have been possible without the dedicated teams of volunteer partners below:

NEW ZEALAND

* Marlborough - Lynette Leota

* Christchurch - Martha Tuli

* Wellington - Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa, Asomua Sulu Sheck & Kaira Sheck

* Palmerston North: Fatima Sae

* Otaki & Kapiti Coast - Angelina Mose Tuialii & Hana Fa'auma Alaga

* Auckland - EIF International

* Auckland - Henderson Cars

* Auckland - Main Freight

* Auckland - Maketi Samoa Foods & Produce

* Auckland- Gmana Wholesa Autos

* Auckland- Debra Tuuaga

* Auckland - Mena Shop & Gina Loheni

* Auckland - Tavita Lefale

AUSTRALIA

* Sydney: Shearer Pule Maiava

* Sydney: Cecilia Misitea

* Sydney: J & R Enterprise Sita Taalili

If you want your donation to go straight to support these families, we urge you to please donate to the Givealittle page MEASLES SAMOA FUND APPEAL: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/please-donate-to-measles-samoa-fund-appeal

ASA Foundation will remain in Samoa up to the end of February.

ASA Foundation is grateful to companies, churches, organisations and individuals who have partnered with us to ensure there is a well coordinated operation to reach the people in need as soon as resources are available. Most donors that have contacted us wants assurance that their donations goes directly to the people.

Report to date of donations through ASA Foundation and partners:

1. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Supported 40 families to date. 41 more families to go as donations becomes available. Today the most urgent assistance needed by the families directly affected with the loss of a child is financial assistance to give the children a proper burial. This work continues until we have helped every family that have lost a love one. This had been made possible with the help of our funding partners:

NEW ZEALAND:

* Ariana Paul (TriMāori)

* Rob Campbell (Chairman Skycity Entertainment)

* Tofilau Kerupi Tavita & Jesus For NZ

* Aotea Finance

* Dave Letele (Brown Butter Bean)

* Pacific Ezy Money Transfer & Moana Rentals

* GMana Wholesale Autos

* Maketi Samoa Foods & Produce

* ProCare PHO

2. COFFINS & FUNERAL EXPENSE: ASA Foundation is offering a coffin donated by Kiwi Coffin Club in New Zealand and a financial contribution to the funeral service expense to ensure every child has the opportunity for a proper burial. If your family or know of a family that is struggling with funeral cost. We want to help. Please contact us. This assistance is available for as long as it’s needed.

3. FUNDRAISERS: Thank you to individuals, groups, churches and companies that have chosen to donate and partner with ASA Foundation. The MS19 appeal is direct from donors to the people affected... right now, not a week or a month later. We welcome anyone who wants to partner with ASA Foundation.

We acknowledge the significant humanitarian and medical assistance offered by the international community. We are also very grateful to the generosity of ordinary New Zealanders and our Samoan people who are donating nappies, wipers, masks, gloves, hygiene and other supply to assist children that are hospitalised.

CLICK link to view update: https://youtu.be/Rgnhpx7qol4

If you want more information contact Teleiai Edwin Puni on (+6421) 618-042 or email: edwin@puni.co.nz

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