Christmas came a few days early on Monday for the prisoners of Tafa’igata Prison and those held in custody after they were each gifted with a small care package and some larger items for general use as the result of an initiative of a couple from abroad who work in Samoa.
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The couple organised a fundraising movie night at Home Café in November which raised just under $1,000 (including a $50 donation after the event by a Samoan family) and the proceeds were used to buy a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap for each of the 476 prisoners and people held in custody in Tafa’igata facility.
The initiative also led to local businesses donating to the prison as well with Bluebird contributing a chainsaw, wheelbarrow, machetes, spades and rakes to assist the prisoners in working on the Tafaigata plantation, which provides some of the food and work within the facility.
As well as the support the couple received from Home Café in hosting the movie night a donation was also made by Lynn’s Supermarket, which helped to ensure that each of the people inside Tafa’igata received a gift.
The couple, who prefer not to be named, presented the items to Commissioner of Prisons and Correction Service before individually handing them out to all of the prisoners.
They commented, “We wanted to give the prisoners of Samoa a small gift at Christmas time to make sure they know they are not forgotten and that they still have a significant contribution to make to Samoa once they have been released. Living in Samoa we have been struck by people’s compassion and unity and we wanted to do something in a similar spirit.”
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