PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHURCH VITAL IN THE FIGHT TO END VIOLENCE

​This year marks a 10-year partnership with the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa through the Malua Theological College, that has proven vital in the fight to end violence in Samoa.
 
The Pastoral Care program forms part of the third year students and their wives’ studies at the Malua Theological College.  It is a practical program that assist in preparing the theological students and their wives, for their work in the church communities, once they are graduated.
 
Each year saw a group of third year students spending a Sunday with the children survivors of violence and sexual abuse at the Campus of Hope, for a period of 4 – 5 weeks.  Due to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the State of Emergency in 2020, the Pastoral Care program for the Campus was put on hold.
 
This year saw the Program being resumed as usual on Sunday, and will continue until early October.
 
The Campus was packed as two bus loads transported the third year students and their wives. The children residents were excited as they were divided into three groups allocated to work with the students during the whole afternoon.  There was painting and singing, story telling and reading from the Bible. The engagement was encouraging for the children of hope; while it was a reality check for the theological students, that violence is real, and it is a growing concern.  One only needs to look at the children in the face to see how violence had impacted their young lives.
 
It is in this connection that SVSG is grateful of the continuous partnership with the Church, as it helps with the rehabilitation program for the children survivors of violence, as much as it is helping the theological students and their wives prepare to become church leaders in the community.
 
“Thank you Reverend Filemoni Crawley for organizing the program.  Thank you also to the students and their wives for sharing the love with the children, not only through the program, but also the in kind donation put together for them.”  Siliniu Lina Chang, SVSG President