Last week, the Rotary Club of Pago Pago delivered a gift that will influence the future of an elementary school in Savaii, Samoa — 7 desktop computers and 13 laptops for Gataivai Primary School.
The computer equipment was formally presented to the school at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by school, and church officials along with the village matai (chiefs).
In his remarks, School Principal Mr. Norman Fa’afetai said, “This is not just about providing hardware, it’s about investing in our future, our people, and the development of our community. We are deeply grateful for your belief in our work and your willingness to support us. These computers will be put to excellent use, creating lasting impact for both our staff and, most importantly, our students. Thank you for your generosity and for making this dream a reality. We are truly honored to have you as our partner in this endeavor.”
At the heart of this effort to teach computer literacy is Peace Corps volunteer Annette Polu from American Samoa, whose passion and dedication helped lay the foundation for this project.
She initially reached out to the club seeking assistance in August 2024. Her persistence and initiative led her to revive the school library and begin teaching basic computer skills to her students in anticipation of the computer donation. Her good communication and vision made the Rotary Club’s decision to take on this project an easy one. Now, Gataivai’s Year 7 and 8 students will have access to digital learning, an invaluable skill as the world moves further into the digital age.
Rotarians, who delivered the donation to Savaii were Chris Brown, Cherith Soliai, Agnes Polu, Justin Tuiasosopo, and Faafua Cummings.
