The National University of Samoa (NUS) Library is honoured to receive a collection of three significant books from Vincent A. Matatumua Vermeulen, a Samoan writer and academic based in the United Kingdom. Vincent, a proud Samoan and former Samoa College student, has donated these works to support Samoan students in their educational journeys and to preserve Samoan culture and language.
The titles of the books are as follows:
- Dragon Waif: A Selection of Sketches from the Other Side of My Soul
- Eldritch Whispers: Sketches from the Other Side of My Soul. Volume Twenty-Two
These two books are collections of poetry reflecting Vermeulen’s experiences and emotions. Covering themes like grief, loss, love, and the vibrancy of life in Samoa, Australia, and Oceania, these works aim to provide both comfort and inspiration.
- O le Pi Faitau mo le Fanau (English Edition, Learning Samoan, Level One) – co-authored with Susana Matatumua Va’ai, this reference book introduces the Samoan alphabet, using simple Samoan words with English translations. This resource is ideal for Samoan students of all ages, especially those eager to deepen their understanding of their heritage.
Professor Ioana Chan Mow helped facilitate this donation, ensuring these valuable resources reached the NUS Library. Maxkar Company, a local business in Apia, also serves as an agent for Vermeulen’s books, allowing local readers and institutions to access his work.
NUS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Amosa, expressed sincere gratitude to Vermeulen, emphasizing the impact these books will have on Samoan students at both secondary and tertiary levels. She voiced hope that more books by Samoan authors like Vermeulen will find their way into libraries across Oceania, enriching the cultural and educational landscape of the Pacific.
The NUS Library team warmly welcomes this contribution, confident that it will inspire many students and scholars alike.
