Talofa Lava Friends,
We are living through strange times. In countries like Canada and the U.S., many of us have never known hardships like hunger, political instability, or war. We are used to great freedoms: going out to restaurants, gathering with friends at will, and having goods and services at our fingertips. Due to COVID-19 this has all changed in a blink. Our world has suddenly become constricted, unstable, and even terrifying. We don’t know how it will end.
But new opportunities arise in a time of crisis, and we can forge a better world! One less individualistic and centred on the self, and more caring of this planet and our neighbours.
At Pacific Peoples’ Partnership, we believe in resilience, hope, and solidarity. Today, amidst a nationwide quarantine, our little organization turns 45! We have decided to celebrate by bringing you stories of resilience. Stories of what we have accomplished together over 45 years, of strong, resilient people, and of thriving Indigenous-led projects across the Pacific. We are also marking our anniversary by inviting you to join us in an important new initiative.
The peoples of Oceania are threatened by the same global pandemic that we all face in North America. The geographical isolation of these small island nations has slowed the arrival of COVID-19, but cases have now appeared in Fiji, the Marianas, and Papua New Guinea. At the same time, a Category 5 cyclone has struck the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji, forcing people into crowded storm shelters. With rudimentary medical systems, shortages of trained staff, and little protective equipment, the Pacific islands could use our solidarity right now. It is for this reason we are launching our Pacific COVID Resilience Fund.
As we celebrate our 45th, we invite you to show support for our brothers and sisters in these small, precious countries, so rich in history and culture, in art, music and dance, and in love. As with our response to last year’s measles crisis in Samoa, we will be working with long-standing NGO partners in the region to ensure your contribution goes towards resilience at the community level through initiatives led by locally known and trusted organizations.
For every dollar you donate, we have commitments from our major partner The Full Circle Fund of RSF Social Finance to match your donation up to $30,000 CAD!
This means that if you give $20, it becomes $40, and if you give $100, it becomes $200! Anything you can spare helps.
In this way, even isolated at home, we can reach out together across the great Pacific that connects us to ensure a better world for tomorrow.
In gratitude and solidarity, Fa’afetai lava! / Thank you very much ~ Samoan
Your friends at Pacific Peoples’ Partnership