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Parents grateful for ASG’s food coupon assistance for school children

Parents picking up food coupons at Samoana H.S.
Some teachers saying parents not as diligent getting their child’s school work
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — While parents are very thankful to the American Samoa Government (ASG) for handing out food coupons for their children this week as they face financial hardship, some teachers are questioning why there are parents who find it so very hard to pick up their children’s school assignments — but they’re the first ones to pick up their children’s food coupon.

DOE Director, Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli paid a site visit to several schools to follow up on the coupon distributions, which went smoothly with everyone in compliance with Code Red restrictions, according to reports relayed to Samoa News.

Several parents shared their positive thoughts regarding the coupon distribution.

“We have nothing left in the bank nor in the refrigerator for our family — especially our 5 young children since the beginning of this week, but these food coupons by our government leaders saved my family,” said Faaulu Matautia of Nu’uuli.

Matautia and his wife are both cannery workers. Two of their children are in high school while the young ones are in the elementary level. The family attends the Full Gospel Church in Tafuna.

As a preacher at his church, Matautia said that there were times that God has tested his faith and how he reacts when troubled times come. He said the last $100 that was inside his wallet was used to pay for their utility bill and provide food for Sunday.

“This week, we only have cereal and milk for breakfast and dinner,” said Matautia with tears on his eyes.

“As a father, my responsibility is to provide for my family and to make sure they have everything they need. Despite the hardship we’re facing right now due to the Code Red and the closure of the cannery, we are so thankful that our heavenly Father has never forsaken my family and all of our families.”

Matautia received food coupon assistance in the amount of $1,000 for his five children. He said that the coupon will cover the food supply for his family for the next two months or more.

A mother of three from Pago Pago shared a similar story.

Martha Faaaliga said her husband, a cannery worker, is the sole breadwinner in the family and that she, her four children and her elderly mother are entirely dependent on him for everything.

Mrs. Fa’aaliga explained that ever since the closure of the cannery due to the Code Red restrictions, everything has changed for her family.

After picking up food coupons for her children totaling $600 yesterday morning, Fa’aaliga said that she will go straight to the store to shop for her family for the whole month.

“This is a huge help for my family and I would like to thank Lemanu and Talauega for this program which will assist poor families like mine,” Faaaliga said.

Asenati Faasega of Faleniu described the DOE food coupon assistance as a huge help for her family.

“There are times that things happen in life for a reason and we have to face these challenges with faith knowing that our God will never forsake us,” said Faasega.

“I believe that God will always provide for us in times of trials and tribulation and the food coupon assistance from DOE today (yesterday) is a huge help for my family.”

TEACHERS’ CONCERNS

While most parents are trying to do what is best for their children, especially now when school is being conducted online due to the Code Red restrictions, some parents are not.

According to some teachers, they are having a hard time contacting some parents to come in and pick up assignments and school homework for their children.

One teacher said she ended up going to the house of one of her students to drop off her school assignment and homework because her parents never showed up to school.

“The parents who never show up at school to pick up their children’s homework and assignment were the first ones who called the school office requesting information about the time of the food coupon distribution,” the concerned teacher said.

Two other teachers shared similar stories with Samoa News.

One teacher said he contacted the parents of one of his students to come and pick up his homework and assignment. The father showed up two days later.

“This morning (yesterday morning), this father was among the first parents standing in line to pick up his son’s food coupon before the gate opened,” the teacher said.

Last week, the Department of Education announced the implementation of a food coupon assistance program for all students attending public and private schools in American Samoa. Each student will receive one-time food coupon assistance in the amount of $200 per child to assist with the purchase of food items during the Code Red declaration.