It has been two years since SVSG started rolling out anti-violence workshops in seven different villages, six in Upolu and one in Savaii targeting teenagers and parents.

The project was funded by the UNICEF Pacific, and it looked at Positive Discipline Parenting for parents and guardians as well as the life skills for adolescents, 15-19 years old.

The program has now come to an end and SVSG hosted a ‘lessons-learnt’ event on Friday at the SSAB conference room in Togafuafua, for the adolescents only.

Youths from seven communities which included were from, Fagalii, Siumu, Fasitoo-Uta, Toamua, Luatuanuu, Solosolo and Samalaeulu Savaii shared their thoughts.

SVSG have been working with these groups of adolescents and their parents through the implementation of a series of trainings on various violence related topics.

The participants were allocated in to focus group discussions and presentations, role plays, dialogues and so forth to evaluate the effectiveness of the project.

A representative and a Health Specialist from UNICEF Pacific, Dr Akshaya Mishra told the participants during his opening remarks that their involvement in this project was essential to fully equip them with in-depth understanding on violence, its cause and effect as well as to improve on their level of understanding on how to reduce the effects.

Katerina Toelau, a young woman from Solosolo who attended the event said this initiative was very important for her and her community.

“As a young woman, I know that the young generation is vulnerable to modern changes that can negatively influence our lives. With the help of these awareness programs, I have learnt to be selective of my friends, how to avoid getting into uncomfortable situations, knowing the right person to share with, good decision making and how to use internet in ways to establish supportive relationships with other youths, not to harm,” she said.

Siliniu Lina Chang, the president of S.V.S.G. relayed their gratitude to the many community partners for completion of the project and for their active participation.

 “S.V.S.G. appreciates the ongoing partnership with UNICEF Pacific, to explore preventive and early interventions which allow for more comprehensive child protection programming in Samoa.”

S.V.S.G. and UNICEF were pleased at how the teenagers came up with their own solutions and had key messages to address the issues faced by the majority of young people in Samoa.