Two House Representatives are donating their $3,000 from the opening of the new Maota Fono for sports groups and schools in their districts.
Fagatogo Rep. Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr said in a Facebook post that the $3,000 is not for his pocket or to benefit him in any way. “It’s for the people of Fagatogo District #8,” he wrote, adding that every single monetary gift that he’s received from faalavelave and government functions has always been returned to the community through church groups, village sports teams, and public schools.
Of the $3,000 received from the opening of the new Fono building, Rep. Malaeoletalu has pledged to donate $1,000 to the Fagatogo fautasi Iseula o le Moana, $500 to the Fagatogo womens cricket team Teine o le Malaeoletalu, $500 to the Fagatogo mens cricket team, $500 to Pago Pago Elementary School, and $500 to Matafao Elementary.
He added that he has donated a lot this year to Samoana High School through various student programs, and he will continue to support Samoana as well as the many sports and church groups in Fagatogo.
KHJ News has also received confirmation that Pago Pago representative Trude Ledoux-Sunia is donating her $3,000 for sports and youth groups. She is using $1,500 to pay the registration fees of all 30 players of the AYFS Eagles Team, as most players come from working families and cannot afford the fees, especially during the holiday season. Most of the players and coaches are from her district.
The faipule is donating $1,500 to the CCJS Youth for supplies and equipment for their year-long coastal clean up partnership, where the youth work with Ledoux-Sunia to clean up the coast of Pago Pago.
