Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite the pandemic conditions, a number of classes at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) have persevered with their service projects on behalf of the community during the current fall 2021 semester. Among these classes supporting community causes were three sections of Introduction to Psychology (PSY 150), a course offered by the Social Sciences Department and taught by Mrs. Tala Ropeti-Leo. Students in each of the three sections chose a particular cause to support, specifically the Quarantine Centers, AP Lutali Elementary School on Aunuu, and the Animal Shelter, and completed their service projects in late October.

PSY 150 (01) students put together a donation of items needed at the Quarantine Centers administered by the Department of Health (DOH). These centers included Tradewinds Hotel, Fatuoaiga, Sadies By The Sea and the DOH quarantine facility in Tafuna. Originally, the class responded to a notice on social media saying the centers needed liquid detergent only, but subsequently they opted to donate other useful items as well, such as toilet paper, dish and laundry detergent, hand sanitizers, paper towels, clip boards, toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes and more. Deputy Manager for Quarantine Centers Mrs. Jacklyn Solaita, along with Director of Nursing Margaret Sesepasara, accepted the donations on behalf of the DOH leadership. “This project meant a lot to the students,” said Mrs. Ropeti-Leo, “since some of them actually had family undergoing quarantine at the time.”

AP Lutali Elementary School on Aunuu benefitted from a project organized by the students of my PSY 150 (02). Since the beginning of the school year, teachers and students of Aunuu’s elementary school have had problems getting the supplies that they need, largely due to being located on a separate island where weather conditions can make transportation difficult.  Mrs. Ropeti-Leo requested a list of items that the Aunuu children might immediately need, and the class worked in groups to come up with fundraising ideas to cover the purchases. The items they donated included life vests for the Aunuu children who sometimes come to Tutuila for school competitions. They also provided four boxes of school supplies and two more boxes containing basketballs, soccer balls, and other items for the children’s Physical Education classes. The PSY 150 (2) class members took the boat ride to Aunuu to personally present the donations, which were accepted by AP Lutali Elementary Principal Faaofia S. Pulu and her staff.  

The students in PSY 150 (03) put together a donation of items needed for the DOH Animal Shelter, which has not had an official veterinarian or regular funding for quite a while. As a result, the Animal Shelter has no materials to care animals, and the workers have reached out to the public for help. With the assistance of Shelter manager Tanya Tarasawa, the students supplied requested Items that included cat and dog food, surgical gloves, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, Lysol spray, disinfecting wipes, and more. Staff from the Animal Shelter visited with PSY 150 (3) students to accept the donations.

Over the past several semesters, the community service fundraising project has become a regular part of the Introduction to Psychology class. In addition to developing the class members’ awareness of their potential to make a positive difference within their community, the projects serve as a means of gaining understanding and establishing bonds of respect and support for the individuals who staff the organizations that serve those in need of assistance.  For more information on Introduction to Psychology and other Social Sciences classes at ASCC, visit the College’s web page at: www.amsamoa.edu.