I would like to begin this reflection with a very well-known Maori (indigenous people of New Zealand) Proverb:

Maku e ki atu, he aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tangata, he Tangata, he Tangata.

You ask, what is the most important thing in the world? It is People, it is People, it is people.

This proverb for me speaks volumes of our Mercy ministries around the world and why we, as Mercy Sisters care so much about the things that affect the lives of people, especially those whom Pope Francis constantly calls us to care for; ‘the poor’ in every sense of the word.               

NB: This is a powerpoint presentation. Clicking on the back and forth arrows will play each screen separately.
Clicking on the menu icon (second from end) on the black bar in the right hand bottom corner of the powerpoint screen will give the option to download a copy or to print it as a PDF.

The displacement of persons in Samoa as in different parts of the Pacific and perhaps in other parts of the world too is due to various factors. It varies from place to place and time to time, and with different issues and causes. This reflection focuses on Samoa and the issue of climate change causing natural disasters which continuously affect the world.

Currently, Salome Ioane rsm and I are working on a project with some people who have been harshly affected by one of these devastating natural disasters, the tsunami which hit Samoa and its neighbouring countries in 2009. This project is planting trees on lands near the coasts of Saleapaga, (one of the villages badly hit by the 2009 tsunami) which the conference participants visited. This project is generously funded by the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of North Sydney, Australia and supported by the Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa – Sisters of Mercy, New Zealand...

Spanish translation using DeepL Translator. Traducción al español con DeepL Translator

I am Samoan and a member of the Congregation of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa, Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. I am a school teacher and I have taught in both primary and secondary school levels, both in Samoa and in New Zealand for the last 20+ years. Currently, I am teaching at Moamoa Theological College in Samoa.     

You can post a comment on this presentation as a Guest User, or using your facebook, twitter, disqus or google account.

Here's how to post as a Guest User:

1. Type your comment in the field 'join the discussion'.
2. Click inside the box that says “Name” and type your first and last name.
3. Fill in your email. NB: this will not be shared or included with your comment.
4. Click the checkbox next to “I’d rather post as a guest.” 
5. Click the arrow to submit your comment/question.

All Guest User comments are moderated (checked) before being put live