Celebrating Success and Growth: The Journey of Sara Petesa A’oga Amata

Founded in 1988, Sara Petesa A’oga Amata was the vision of Pastor Seleni Taoai, who dreamed of creating a space for the younger generation to connect with their Samoan heritage and Christian values. This dream was realised in his grandson’s birth year, marking a significant personal and community milestone.

Sara Petesa A’oga Amata has since evolved into a beacon of Samoan language immersion and quality early childhood education in the community. The journey began with classes held in a church building, a guest house, and a garage. Thanks to the tireless efforts of a group of dedicated mothers from the church and the wider community, by 2000, the preschool became the first Samoan Assembly of God Church to receive an Early Childhood Education (ECE) license from the Ministry of Education.

This recognition marked a significant milestone for Sara Petesa A’oga Amata, affirming its commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education. The growth didn’t stop there. In 2015, an additional building was constructed, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to cater to increasing demand.

In 2013, the preschool celebrated its 25th anniversary and was renamed to honour the late Sarai Aiono Taoai. The subsequent years were marked by significant changes. In 2019, we mourned the loss of our founder, Rev. Seleni Taoai. That same year, Rev. Terry Saipani took over as CEO. The next year, after 20 years of dedicated service, the long-standing centre manager Penny Aiga resigned, and the mantle was handed over to Aniva Saipani.

These transitions marked the passage of time and steady progress. Throughout these years, Sara Petesa A’oga Amata has stayed true to its unique philosophy of blending the Samoan language and culture with high-quality early childhood education. This distinctive approach has played a vital role in nurturing a strong sense of cultural identity among students, setting them up for success in their future education.

Sara Petesa A’oga Amata‘s journey is a story of perseverance, community spirit, and unwavering dedication to a vision. Today, the preschool continues to thrive, touching the lives of many children and families. It remains committed to its founding principles, striving to provide the best possible start for its students while keeping the Samoan language and culture alive.

We invite you to be a part of our vibrant community and join us in celebrating the success of Sara Petesa A’oga Amata. The journey has been remarkable, and the future is even more promising.