It took two years for COVID-19 to reach American Samoa, but since breaching its shores earlier this year, it has sent the island nation into lockdown, with limited business territory-wide.
Thousands of residents now face reduced work hours or have been laid off completely.
Among those most affected are low-income homes and ‘non-essential’ workers, who have been without work for months.
With limited work and increasing costs of basic utilities, the local Rotaract Club of Pago Pago (Rotaract Pago) realised there was an urgent need for assistance.
Partnering with local non-profits Esther Generation, Foeoletini Foundation and Agency for Better Living Endeavours (ABLE), the group devised the Give Light Initiative to fundraise and provide utility assistance for families most affected by COVID-19 in American Samoa.
The process to receive assistance is simple: applicants fill out an online form and if approved receive a direct $50 credit to their electricity bill via the American Samoa Power Authority. The only requirements are that applicants must be currently employed making an annual income of US$15,000 or less, have lost their job due to COVID-19, or have experienced reduced work hours due to COVID-19.
The club originally aimed to raise $25,000 to provide power to 500 homes and in just under a month blew that target away by hitting $29,100.
Donations were received primarily from local businesses, in addition to $5,000 raised via the project’s GoFundMe page. Notable donations included an initial US$2,000 from Cost-U-Less American Samoa and Store Manager Marvin Raps, US$3,000 from the Lions Club of Pago Pago and US$5,000 from the Rotary Club of Pago Pago.
“We commend your leadership and commitment to stand together during these hard times to help our low-income population. We are truly grateful for your continued service for the betterment of American Samoa.”
The Give Light Initiative has since gained the attention of the American Samoa Government, which announced a US$50,000 grant towards the project on April 4.
“Lieutenant Governor Talauega and I wish to express our sincere appreciation to your respective non-profit organisations for spearheading the Give Light assistance and we welcome this opportunity for ASG to partner with the Give Light group,” the Honourable Governor Lemanu Mauga stated in announcing the $50,000 award.
“We commend your leadership and commitment to stand together during these hard times to help our low-income population. We are truly grateful for your continued service for the betterment of American Samoa.”
President and co-founder of Rotaract Pago Tiara Drabble said the grant will increase funds raised to a total of US$79,100 and provide assistance to an additional 1,000 families in addition to the 582 who had already benefited.
“On behalf of our Give Light team, ABLE, Esther Generation, and the Foeoletini Foundation, we express our sincerest thanks and gratitude to Honourable Governor Lemanu Mauga, Honourable Lieutenant Governor Talauega Ale, and their administration for this generous gift and entrusting us to fulfill this great mission,” Tiara said.
“Chartered in December 2020, Rotaract Pago is the newest and current largest club within the Oceania region. The Give Light Initiative is the club’s largest project to date and its first to receive funding from the American Samoa Government.”
“Due to this support we have been able to increase the maximum income requirement for applicants from US$15,000 annually to US$18,000.”
Chartered in December 2020, Rotaract Pago is the newest and current largest club within the Oceania region, with more than 30 active members. The Give Light Initiative is the club’s largest project to date and its first to receive funding from the American Samoa Government.
Another ongoing major project is constructing a public playground in a community park, for which members have raised nearly US$30,000.
Rotaract Pago is eager to complete both projects successfully and looks forward to future collaborations and opportunities to serve.
To donate to the #GiveLight initiative, visit gofundme.com/GiveLightAS or email rotaractpago@gmail.com
