Adopt-a-country is part of Samoa 2019 Pacific Games schools programme
Thousands of students in Samoa are learning about their Pacific neighbours leading up to the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games from 7 to 20 July.
Schools in Samoa from primary level to high schools have adopted a country from the 24 nations participating in the Games.
There’s also a competition for schools with three categories.
The first is for the school environment that best depicts the spirit of the Pacific Games or the Greening of the Games, making them environmentally more sustainable. The second category is for the best cheers in support of the adopted country. The final category is for poster design.
The competition was initiated by the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (MESC) to bring the slogan ‘one in spirit’ to the communities and schools.
This week, Avele College was one of the schools visited by MESC. The College’s adopted nation is Fiji.
“There’s been great involvement by our students being part of the Games,” says Otilia Sooalo Mua, vice-principal of Avele College. “I’m thankful for this because students that are involved have never done anything like this before.
“They have engaged with the Pacific Games and the country we are studying, Fiji, learning their national anthem and having a sense of their culture.”
Greening of the Games is something else that all the students are thrilled to take part in.
“This has been a positive event for the students,” he continues. “Their behaviour towards the environment has changed, they have learnt to appreciate their surroundings and have a sense of responsibility for the environment.”
The Pacific Games being back in Samoa is having a real impact on the students and he is grateful to MESC for the initiative, running the competitions and getting his students more involved.
For more on this project and the 'Miracle Games' see the Samoan Observer
