20 March 2021, Apia Samoa. It was a relaxed and enjoyable event yesterday as the Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) political party congregated in tents at Vaitele for a fundraising radiothon that brought in a total of $1,643,734 tala.
There was an overwhelming amount of support from overseas based Samoans from Australia, USA and New Zealand.
Held at Vaitele just opposite Apia Concrete Products, there was a sea of red as FAST members and candidates includint FAST Leader Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa gathered to listen as names of hundreds of pledges were read out throughout the day.
Fiame looked relaxed, clapping bravo with the announcement of every donation in support of Samoa’s newest political party.
Responding to questions Leatinuu Faumuina Wayne Fong said there was huge support from Samoans abroad. The $255,000 tala under Saofaga was a project whereby members from each Constituency worked in groups to collect funds and pledge on behalf of FAST candidates in each electoral district.
“Those are donations from our people residing overseas who signed up under each district name where there is a FAST candidate;
“They were able to collect and hand in $255,000ST”, he said.
“O tagata o Itumalo e nonofo i atunuu i fafo..o le latou project na fai e faaigoa o Saofaga a Itumalo mo Sui Faatutu o le Fast”
“It’s all overseas donations from around the world..”
“They selected a leader for each district or Constituency to collect funds on their behalf as a group,” explains Faumuina Leatinuu.
There was music, a beast on the spit cooked slowly throughout the day and lots of dancing in celebration.
FAST Party leaders Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude for the people’s response in support of the party’s preparations for the upcoming general elections.
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