A village girl’s cry is heard

By Sarafina Sanerivi 25 November 2016, 12:00AM

Tears of joy welled up the eyes of Siera Afemai, the mother of Fitiana Moana from Falelauniu-tai yesterday. 

Fitiana Moana Afemai was featured in one of the Village Voice stories published on the 17 of September by the Samoa Observer Newspaper. 

The story was titled, “The dream of a young village girl.”

The story told of the daily struggle faced by Fitiana’s family. But she has a dream.

That dream is to become a doctor. 

“My dream is to be able to help others and provide for my family and being a doctor will allow me to do just that,” she said. 

“My siblings are also very sickly and I want to be able to help them as well. It’s not going to be an easy journey but I will still make an effort to get there one day.” 

Fitiana did not hide her family’s struggles.

 “It is just me, my siblings and my mother living here. My father has a new wife now and is living with her. So my only plan right now is to do my best in helping out my family.” 

“My sister makes $230 a week and some of it goes straight to the loan we made for a fa’alavelave we had earlier on,” she said. 

“The rest goes to school expenses, the sickly in the family and everything else. For me personally, I don’t see this type of life as a problem; I use the situation to motivate myself in school. 

“That’s the only problem we face, the money we have is just not enough.”

After her story was published in the Samoa Observer, someone heard the cry of this young lady and their struggle and decided to help her family out. 

A Good Samaritan who wants to stay anonymous lent a helping hand to help the 17-year-old achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. 

An envelope which contained $1,000 tala was presented to Fitiana and her mother Fuatino yesterday. 

It contained a note from the Good Samaritan. 

“I was happy to read your story in this morning’s paper and I think your goal to become a doctor is an admirable one for you, your family and your country,” he wrote.

“I am glad you can see beyond your day-to-day struggles and hope my small donation will provide you some relief from that financial burden for a few weeks so you can focus your energy on creating a plan and finding a scholarship to follow your dreams. 

“While my plight was not as challenged as yours, I too had a goal to go to University and become an engineer. I worked two jobs and saved hard to get through University and obtain a degree.

I have used this degree to travel, help people and support my family and I truly hope that you too can find a way to complete your dream-it won’t be easy but know there will be rewards in your future far greater than money can buy. I wish you all the best.”

Fitiana and her mother cried when they received the letter and the money.

 “First of all I want to thank God for His blessings upon us his children,” said Siera Afemai. 

“I would also like to thank your office (Samoa Observer) and this programme because we were able to get this through your programme during your interview with my daughter.

“I know I have nothing to give to repay this, but only God can repay the kindness of whoever donated this money for us. 

“And I pray that he bless this Good Samaritan and restore what’s been taken away from them.” 

Other members of the public have expressed their willingness to help Fitiana.

By Sarafina Sanerivi 25 November 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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