She merely heard about the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) from a good friend, but that was enough for the late Carolyn Rogers to fly 20 hours from Abu Dhabi, UAE, to Samoa. Her mission was to volunteer at the School of Hope, a haven for abused children under SVSG’s care.
Carolyn, a New Zealander and a qualified primary school teacher, arrived in Samoa in late July 2018. She dedicated herself to the School of Hope until late August. Her teaching and caregiving experience shone through in her interactions with the children, who were drawn to her motherly approach. It wasn’t long before she became part of the SVSG family.
When Carolyn left Samoa in 2018, she promised to return and continue supporting the children’s education at the School of Hope. True to her word, she kept in touch with her SVSG aiga while planning her return. Unfortunately, an illness too severe to overcome prevented her from keeping her promise.
Recently, SVSG received an email stating, “We act for the Estate of the late Carolyn Jane Rogers. It was a bequest in her Will to donate $5,000 to your organization.”
The news was devastating for the SVSG family, especially the children who would have benefited from Carolyn’s motherly teaching. However, Carolyn’s volunteer spirit has left an indelible impact on the lives of the children she taught at the School of Hope. Many of them have successfully reintegrated into their families, pursued careers outside Samoa, or started families of their own.
SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang joined the SVSG aiga in mourning the loss of a dear family member. “Rest in love, dearest Carolyn. Thank you for serving the Lord cheerfully as a volunteer for the abused and the most vulnerable in the Samoan community. You have blessed us with your cheerful spirit right to the end.”
“Thank you also for including a donation to the Samoa Victim Support Group in your Will, a testament to your promise to support the cause you’ve helped champion.”
