In the midst of limited face-to-face class time, reduced class sizes, and social distancing due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, two summer classes at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) have maintained the College’s longstanding practice of fostering community involvement through Service Learning.
Two sections of the class Introduction to Psychology (PSY 150) last week made donations of supplies to the Nursery at LBJ Hospital and the Boys & Girls Club of American Samoa (BGAS).
For the spring 2020 summer session, instructor Mrs. Tala Ropeti-Leo integrated a Service Learning component into her two sections of PSY 150.
“Because of the COVID19 regulations this semester, the students and I came up with idea of a unified project. For both my PSY 150 sections, I divided the students into several group, with each deciding how to fundraise or collect the items needed. They chose activities like pick-a-thons, walk-a-thons and bake sales to fundraise for their projects.”
According to Mrs. Ropeti-Leo, the PSY 150 section that focused their efforts on the LBJ Nursery made that choice partially because the class included “some students who are mothers themselves and have witnessed the hard work of the nurses in making sure all the newborn babies are taken care of before being released to go home.”
Students Sabrina Uti, Celine Saelua and Olivia Faumui represented their peers in presenting the donations to the Nursery Department who expressed their appreciation for the efforts of all the PSY 150 (01) students and their instructor.
The donations included diapers, wipes, baby clothes, mittens, hats, swaddles, washcloths, pacifiers, blankets and more that filled six baskets and two gift bags.
At noon the same day all of the PSY 150 (02) class visited the Tafuna site of the Boys and Girls Club of American Samoa to make their own gift presentation.
Miss Puataunofo Tulafono, the Student Services Director for BGAS, led the class on a tour of the BGAS premises.
Student Darnall Fuiava spoke on behalf of PSY 150 (02) to convey the gifts, which BGAS Executive Director Mr. Sailipea Kennison D. Barber accepted.
Mr. Barber said he was moved by the generosity of the students, wished them well, and invited them to come back as volunteers if they have an interest.
Items PSY 150 (02) donated to BGAS included arts and crafts supplies, flip chart paper, poster boards, dry erase markers, board games, and paint.
Mrs. Ropeti-Leo also reconnected with three of her former students now working at BGAS, who had in the past contributed to ASCC Service Learning projects in support of their current employer.
“It just shows how Service Learning can assist students with finding their way into the workforce,” she reflected.
