Her Majesty Queen Camilla inaugurated a new pre-school at Samoa’s “Campus of Hope” on Friday, October 25, 2024. Named the Queen Camilla Pre-School of Hope, the facility aims to offer a safe, nurturing environment for young residents to learn and develop.
The pre-school was funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with additional support from Pacific Assist, a charity based in New Zealand and Australia. Volunteers, including members of the local Latter-day Saints community, helped prepare the pre-school and surrounding grounds for Queen Camilla’s visit and the opening ceremony.
The Campus of Hope, established by the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG), is widely recognized as a refuge for children affected by violence and abuse. It serves as a home to up to 100 children at any time.
During a service held before Queen Camilla’s arrival, Elder Denny Fa’alogo, a leader from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the Campus of Hope’s children, staff, SVSG Board members, and other attendees.
“Today marks the beginning of a journey filled with learning, love, and growth for the young souls who pass through these doors,” Elder Fa’alogo said. He emphasized that the pre-school will be more than just an educational space. “This is a sacred place where children will feel God’s love, learn His teachings, and be nurtured in faith, hope, and charity. We are thankful to everyone who helped make this vision a reality.”
Elder Fa’alogo then offered a blessing for the pre-school and the children who will attend, saying, “As we dedicate this pre-school, we acknowledge it as a house of hope, where children will grow academically and spiritually, preparing for futures filled with promise and purpose.”
Makerita Fesolai, manager of the Campus of Hope, shared her excitement for the new pre-school. “The pre-school is our dream come true. We have been praying for this day, and it has become a reality thanks to the willingness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help,” she said.
Fesolai highlighted the unique role of the Campus in supporting young mothers and their children. “The Campus of Hope cares for infants born to very young girls. The pre-school will give these little ones a proper start in their education and a foundation for their future lives.”
The project began in 2023 when Callum Blair, director of Pacific Assist, discovered that two pre-schools in Auckland, New Zealand, were closing. He reached out to Fesolai to see if she needed the furniture, to which she agreed. When Blair arrived to deliver it, he noticed that the Campus did not yet have a designated pre-school space. Fesolai responded, “We’ll worry about that later,” expressing her faith that resources would come together in time. “I knew the Lord would provide because He loves His children,” she said.
Queen Camilla’s visit to Samoa aligns with her accompaniment of King Charles to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, which are taking place in Samoa from October 21 to 26, 2024.
Related Topics: