“Going to Samoa and being able to use the skills I’ve learned in the classroom for those wonderful people was amazing,” said public health major Emily Romney. “The happiness that is exuded there is just contagious.”

Seven of the BYU students who made the trip this year happened to serve LDS missions to Samoa in recent years and were anxious to go back. Taylor Avei, a biology major, said it was amazing to be with the people he loves again, but the Rheumatic Relief experience was completely new.

“They’re the most loving people and the most accepting people I’ve ever met in my life and the opportunity to bring a little bit of joy and happiness to these kids is extremely rewarding,” he said. “It’s pure love, it’s pure service and it’s everything we talk about doing in the church.”

For his part, Colton Murray has been looking for ways to give back to the Samoan people ever since his mission. A business major, Murray applied to the Rheumatic Relief program feeling he could make an impact, even though he isn’t studying public health or anything related to the medical field.

Murray said. “The opportunity BYU gave me to come back is absolutely incredible. Being able to help solve this issue is huge to me.”

By Mary Lake

Steeplechase at 1/40th

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