The BNYG Samoa Youth Mission, 2013 (SYM13)
The van ride back to Samoa International Airport from St Mary’s College, Vaimoso, Samoa said it all. There was singing, joking, laughing but an underlying sadness that the final hours of the 17 day mission trip to Samoa by the Banyo-Nundah Youth Group had arrived and the time was soon coming to say goodbye to friends made during the mission. The time spent together sharing a common purpose produced some strong friendships.
Over the past 17 days, the group worked alongside a number of students from St Mary’s College, to refurbish the secondary school’s classrooms, install donated computers and revitalise the library with artwork and newly donated books.
Since 2009, the Banyo-Nundah Youth Group had fundraised to provide financial assistance for the Samoan community following the 2009 tsunami. The vision had quickly developed from simply providing financial aid to actually visiting communities as part of "being hands and feet of Christ". Incidentally, the disaster relief that the mission trip would encompass, could not have come at a more appropriate time with Cyclone Evan hitting Apia and its surroundings only a month prior to the mission.
While the intention of the youth mission trip had been to give to the Samoan community, the group was inspired by the generosity and warmth shown to them in return. From the moment the group had arrived at the airport in Samoa, they were greeted as royalty by the smiling Sister Sosefina Stowers of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, Sister Patricia Leamy, and a number of teachers and students from St Mary’s College.
The Youth Group was not only blessed with experiencing traditional Samoan culture and people, but also enriched by the the magnificent church architecture, strong participation of youth at Mass and the beautiful harmonies that filled the ears and hearts of young Aussie pilgrims on a mission trip that was both transforming as it was uniquely empowering. Not only has the school community of St Mary’s College benefited from the educational resources provided, but The Voice Youth Group now have experienced first-hand what it means to be Christ for others.
Angela Greathead, a youth group mother and Missionary described well what was learnt from the Mission journey: “We live in a big world, compared to the little world that Samoans live in. Not ‘small’ in the sense that they don’t know a lot, nor ‘big’ in the sense that we possess greater wealth or knowledge, but rather that they (Samoans) do not require much in order to live happily. They live simply and with little material possession.” The youth group now set their sights on the next Mission Project, wherever Christ may call them.
Please click the following buttons for all the information you need on our mission trip to Samoa:
Over the past 17 days, the group worked alongside a number of students from St Mary’s College, to refurbish the secondary school’s classrooms, install donated computers and revitalise the library with artwork and newly donated books.
Since 2009, the Banyo-Nundah Youth Group had fundraised to provide financial assistance for the Samoan community following the 2009 tsunami. The vision had quickly developed from simply providing financial aid to actually visiting communities as part of "being hands and feet of Christ". Incidentally, the disaster relief that the mission trip would encompass, could not have come at a more appropriate time with Cyclone Evan hitting Apia and its surroundings only a month prior to the mission.
While the intention of the youth mission trip had been to give to the Samoan community, the group was inspired by the generosity and warmth shown to them in return. From the moment the group had arrived at the airport in Samoa, they were greeted as royalty by the smiling Sister Sosefina Stowers of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, Sister Patricia Leamy, and a number of teachers and students from St Mary’s College.
The Youth Group was not only blessed with experiencing traditional Samoan culture and people, but also enriched by the the magnificent church architecture, strong participation of youth at Mass and the beautiful harmonies that filled the ears and hearts of young Aussie pilgrims on a mission trip that was both transforming as it was uniquely empowering. Not only has the school community of St Mary’s College benefited from the educational resources provided, but The Voice Youth Group now have experienced first-hand what it means to be Christ for others.
Angela Greathead, a youth group mother and Missionary described well what was learnt from the Mission journey: “We live in a big world, compared to the little world that Samoans live in. Not ‘small’ in the sense that they don’t know a lot, nor ‘big’ in the sense that we possess greater wealth or knowledge, but rather that they (Samoans) do not require much in order to live happily. They live simply and with little material possession.” The youth group now set their sights on the next Mission Project, wherever Christ may call them.
Please click the following buttons for all the information you need on our mission trip to Samoa: