BSP hands over new library for Vailele Primary School

Students of Vailele Primary school will now enjoy their own library when they return to school this year, thanks to Bank South Pacific.

The project which was handed over to the school late last year (December 30, 2021) cost ST$20,000.00 including the refurbishing and expansion of an existing room plus book shelves, books, benches, tables, chairs, air condition, new computer set and a printer for students’ use.

The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Siaosi Salesulu of the Congregation Christian Church of Samoa at Vailele in the presence of the high chief Afioga ile Falefia o Alii Samoa Malae, members of the school committee, Principal and teachers, BSP Country Head and Staff.

BSP Country Head, Taituuga Maryann Lameko-Vaai said BSP is committed to community development not only in Samoa but also in other markets where BSP operates in. “BSP’s objective is to prioritize key issues that are crucial to the development of our communities.  One of those issues is literacy and encouraging our children to read as a fundamental part of their educational journey.

We hope that this humble project will be used to support the work of our tireless teachers and we praise God for the resources that we have been given to complete this important project,” Lameko-Vaai added.

Vailele Primary school Principal, Tofilau Resitala, in accepting the project expressed his gratitude to BSP for answering his prayers. A library had been his long term dream since he commenced work with Vailele Primary School 3 years ago.

LEFT: Mrs Noa Samoa Malae a retired teacher delivering a special message before cutting the ribbon to officially open the Vailele Primary School library. RIGHT: Two bookshelves have been filled already with books.

Mr Resitala said with a library, they can now ask for more books from different donors knowing that they have a secure space to keep them.

“Literacy is the heart of every school, which is why every school must have a library. Our school committee deserves  commendation for their vision and perseverance in finding a way to fulfill the dream of building a library for Vailele Primary School.  I would like to express my gratitude to BSP for supporting our dream,”Mr Resitala added.

In officially cutting the ribbon to signify the opening of the library, Mrs Samoa Malae who is a retired teacher from Fagaitua High School in American Samoa said; “I am opening this “bank” where students who use this library will be successful in the future and contribute to the growth of our economy and their own personal wealth.”

The new library is one of numerous projects BSP has undertaken for various communities over the years. Every year, BSP Group rolls out projects under different themes.

BSP Samoa projects have included communal water tanks in villages in Upolu and Savaii, installation of solar lights for Falealili Primary School, numerous projects for the Samoa Victim Support Group and the building of lavatories and bathrooms facilities for the Poutasi Hospital to name a few.