Staff and students celebrated the completion of a partnership project on Wednesday which improved the learning environment at Paia Primary School in Savai'i.

Thanks to the German Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, the school's classrooms and school hall were fitted with new floor tiles as well as wash sinks and toilets to improve student sanitation.

Debora Yaakoby from the German Embassy attended the ceremony together with the German Consul to Samoa, Tagaloa Christa Szegedi. 

In her first visit to Samoa, Mrs. Yaakoby said Samoa and Germany have a "very special connection" and she was glad to have made the trip to the region.

"Therefore I am so glad that my first visit to the Pacific Islands is to the Pearl of the Pacific – a truly magical place," she added.

“We are here to celebrate the completion of the project improving the learning and sanitary conditions for both students and teachers at Paia Primary School. 

"It is great to see the classrooms tiled and to have hand wash basins installed. The pandemic has reminded us all again how important hygiene is to keep our body and mind healthy."

The Paia Primary School Principal, Iuni Ah Ching, expressed her sincere appreciation for the project resulting in the refurbishments of the classrooms and school hall as well as the boost to the school's sanitation facilities. 

“With this project the students at Paia now can better enjoy learning inside the classroom. I also see happiness of the students since they now take great care and make sure the classrooms are clean with the tiles. This all leads to a good health for the students."

In her speech on Wednesday, Mrs. Yaakoby said her visit to Samoa is her first trip to one of the six Pacific Island nations she was put in charge of at the Embassy.

"It is also a very special year for our two countries: 50 years ago we took up official diplomatic relations because of this jubilee, we were able to support this year more projects in Samoa than in any other of the countries the German Embassy in Wellington is working with in the Pacific region."

 Mrs. Yaakoby added that this year the Embassy has supported and formed partnerships with eight different schools here in Samoa including three in Savai'i. 

"All of these projects just like Paia are designed to improve the learning conditions for students and teachers," she told the staff and students. 

"We recognise that the children of Samoa need to be given the best possible tools in order to grow and develop.

"I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the Independent State of Samoa for achieving and celebrating 60 years of independence this year.  

"This truly is a wonderful and tremendous achievement, which I am sure the people of this great country are very proud of. 

"Our two countries have shared an important history together. While Germany may be far away in terms of kilometres from Samoa, it is vital that we continue to work together in areas of mutual interest. 

"I can also assure you that Germany will continue to support Samoa in years to come especially in the areas of education, health and climate change."

The German Embassy official made special mention of the School Principal, the School Committee President Mauai Tiafau Iosefa and Taunese Purvis, who put the application together with the school, as well as German couple Olaf Weinhold and Tina Kästner who live in Savai'i.

"Last but certainly not least: it is such a blessing to have wonderful Honorary Consul Tagaloa Christa Szegedi representing my country Germany here in Samoa.  

"Thank you also to her husband Stefan Szegedi Senior for supporting her. Without Christa’s support and her son Stefan Szegedi’s hard work I would not be able to stand here today to celebrate the completion of this project."