Scholarship Applications Now Available To Samoan Students

The Children’s Educational Relief Foundation (CERF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization currently aiding Samoan school children. Scholarship applications are now available to students needing financial assistance for the 2007 academic school year. Any student who wishes to apply can do so by submitting a complete application on or before October 15, 2006. Applications can be obtained from Ruta Urhle at the National Bank of Samoa.

CERF’s mission is to provide educational relief, enhance educational opportunities and to give a sense of hope to the children of third world counties. Co-founders Ao and Karen Pauga are committed to assist children in reaching their greatest potential. Ao Pauga is a native of Samoa and remembers a life of poverty. Even though his family was the most affluent in his village he remembers going to school hungry, being without shoes or other needful items, and working on the plantation so his family could eat. “My family was and is wealthy in comparison. What saddens me the most is when I visit my village and see the same families struggling. They haven’t had the opportunity to change their situation”, says Ao.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “Education is the key to opportunity”, and Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. CERF believes it is imperative that all children have the opportunity to education, and the opportunity to change their world.

CERF’s goal with their scholarship efforts is to create opportunity for those who want to continue their education. Students are required to pay for tuition, uniforms, lunches, transportation, exam fees and all other extracurricular activities. For families who are already desperate for food, the costs for education keep students from attending school. Scholarship monies are given to the school in the students name relieving a small portion of their financial burden.

CERF encourages all students who are in need of financial assistance to apply for the scholarship. Only complete applications will be accepted and recipients will be notified the end of November 2006.

CERF was founded in October of 2004. Since that time CERF has sent over 1300 student kits and 125 teacher kits to Samoa. “Samoa is only the starting point for CERF”, says Karen Pauga. Cofounders look forward to when efforts to assist other children reach their potential can be made. A benefit luau will be held on August 25th at Murray Park in Murray, Utah. The event begins at 6:30pm. “The luau,” states Ao Pauga, “is an opportunity to eat good food, watch great entertainment, and benefit children in third world countries.”

For more information contact the Pauga’s in SL Co. at 755-2368, and in UT Co. at 407-1335.

Karen Howe-Pauga
CERF-CED