When the idea of a home to take care of the elderly was first floated, it was perceived as being contrary to the Samoan culture where taking care of the elderly was the responsibility of children and was considered a source of blessing.
Thirty years later the first and only home for the elderly, which opened as Nazareth House and now called Hope House, has a waiting list.
A House Concurrent Resolution initiated by Rep Vailoata Amituana’i, recognizes the important service that Hope House provides and commends Bishop Peter Brown and the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago for the exemplary work of the facility.
The resolution also recognizes the 30th anniversary of Hope House.
The home was established by the late Cardinal Pio Taofinu’u who requested that an order of nuns that runs homes for senior citizens around the world, the Sisters of Nazareth open an elderly care home in American Samoa.
The home was opened on the grounds of Fatuoaiga of Heart of the Family and initially was operated and partially funded by the Nazareth Sisters.
The facility took care of the elderly, children with severe disabilities and it also had the first Montessori School and day care center in American Samoa.
After 20 years of operating Nazareth House, the Sisters departed in early 2009 and left with confidence that the Diocese of Samoa – Pago Pago was competently running the care facility that was later named Hope House by Bishop Emeritus Quinn Weitzel .
Today the home is operated and managed by the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago under the direction of Bishop Peter Brown, a board of directors and a management and staff team of 30.
All House Representatives have added their names to the resolution which has been approved by both the House and Senate.
A program of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of Hope House begins this Sunday with a Mass at Holy Family Cathedral.
Events planned include a wave, fiafia night and tours of the home and culminating with a two day golf tournament, with all proceeds going to operate Hope House.
