The parents and adolescents of Samalaeulu, Savaii were engaged in the first community prevention program assessment as part of the ongoing collaborative effort by the Samoa Victim Support Group and UNICEF Pacific to strengthen the child protection system in Samoa.

The evaluation came as a follow-up to the village’s dedicated participation in an intensive six-module child protection workshop for parents and adolescents, which spanned over two years in 2021 and 2022.

Out of the seven villages that completed the piloted community prevention program, three were selected to participate in this assessment, including Samalaeulu.

The assessment focuses on gathering feedback on the program’s impact on daily life, particularly how well parents and adolescents have grasped and applied the program’s teachings.

According to SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang, “The community showed enthusiasm for the assessment, with both parents and adolescents keen to share their experiences and the positive changes they’ve made to their everyday lives.”

A respected high chief of Samalaeulu who participated in the assessment workshop, Tevaga Felanulanuai, shared his personal growth, noting the program’s profound effect on his parenting approach. He emphasized the value of nurturing a positive relationship with his children, marked by mutual understanding and respect. Tevaga expressed gratitude towards SVSG for bringing such transformative programs to their village, acknowledging the importance of the program in fostering a safe environment for current and future generations.

Through comprehensive data collection and feedback from the participants, the team will assess the program's achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. Key findings from the assessment highlighted the significant positive impact of the Child Protection Program on raising awareness, building capacity, and fostering community engagement in protecting children from various forms of harm for the village of Samalaeulu.  

“We are encouraged by the positive feedback of the Child Protection Program assessment,” said President Siliniu. “The commitment and dedication demonstrated by the village of Samalaeulu have been instrumental in creating safer environments and strengthening community support systems for our children,” said Siliniu.

Moving forward, the Samoa Victim Support Group remains committed to building upon the successes of the Child Protection Program and addressing the identified areas for enhancement. The team will carry out Assessments for the villages of Toamua and Fasito’o-uta in Upolu for the next phase of the Assessment program.