Delivering Smiles to Samoa's Pediatrics Ward

Sunday School Children with gifts for small patients at the pediatrics ward, Apia Samoa

The Innovation Trust from time to time receives requests for funding from other organizations that have heard about us or knows us through our various networks. And so when other organizations values and charitable purposes align with ours, we will do our best to assist, in some capacity. For there is no greater importance in life than to help and give service to those in need.

Sunday School Children getting instructions before their visit to the Hospital

In July 2018 we received a request from the Leader of the Children's Ministry at the Worship Centre Christian Church in Samoa, Apia; Mrs. Seraphina Patosina Ioapo. They were seeking assistance with one of their current programs, where their Sunday school Children visit the Pediatrics Ward at the National Hospital of Samoa, Apia.

Sunday School Leader Seraphina Patosina Ioapo with some of the gifts funded by the Innovation Trust

At these visits, the Sunday school children visit with sick children in the ward and offer comfort with either a song or a prayer and a small gift. The gift has little luxuries in them like, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a flannel, a soft toy and fruit, an apple and an orange (these are imported from New Zealand and so are an extra treat). It was these gifts that they were seeking funding for, previously this was funded from the leaderships teams own pocket. The Innovation Trust Trustees met and agreed to help fund the costs of these gifts for six months. This would mean they could continue the program right into Christmas of 2018. Recently the Innovation Trust has renewed its support for another 6 months for 2019.

Smallest patients at the Pediatrics Ward with some of the leadership team and Sunday School children

The Sunday school children visit the hospital once a month and would reach 45 to 50 sick children each visit. By December of 2018, they had visited close to 300 sick children in the pediatric ward and provided some much need love and comfort through these small gifts and visits.

Smiling babies with their mums

The Children's Ministry leadership team of the Worship Centre Christian Church in Samoa, Apia

This young man is Christopher he is 10 years old and from the village of Lotofaga in Apia. He and his mum have been in the hospital for 2 weeks with heart disease.

If you would like to learn more about this program and get involved please send us either an email or click the Lets chat! button over on the left-hand side of the screen and we will send you more details on how to help out.