The first steps are being taken to improve environmental literacy in Samoa's schools which will create awareness among children on how to look after nature and to combat the growing litter problem.

The Guardian is an experiential environmental educational initiative that was co-developed by Conservation International and partners, including Samoa's Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture (M.E.S.C.) help improve the environmental literacy of communities, targeting Year 7 primary school students in district schools.  

A spokesperson for the New Zealand High Commission, Matthew Scadden, said that this program will go a long way in protecting Samoa's natural environment.

“We are really proud to be supporting the Guardian project which is about bringing through the next generation in Samoan coastal communities, teaching them how to face the existential threat of climate change, and care for their natural environment using education based on both scientific, but also traditional knowledge,” he said.

“The word manaaki literally means to ‘uplift mana’, and is associated with values like manaakitanga or fa’aaloalo (respect), and upholding cultural identity - fa’asinomaga.

"Climate change is a challenge for every country around the world, though here in the Pacific, the threat is felt very strongly. Facing it is a task that cannot be undertaken alone, and preparing our young people with the tools to understand their place in the world, uphold their cultural identity, and protect their natural environment and communities is a crucial part of that mission." 

The Manaaki Fund Project Manager for Samoa, Mataiia Ueta Faasili, said this project is important for raising awareness in children and made reference to the significance of increasing understanding of global warming issues.

“We want to increase their understanding on current global warming issues and how they can adapt to the changes or raise the resilience of our communities in our country,” he said. ”We want to show them the sites for example the chance to go snorkeling in the sea so that they can see the impact and effect of climate change to the corals and this is learning by doing these activities which is by learning on site."

The Guardian project seeks to empower the younger generation to find sustainable solutions for the environment. The Guardian project will train school teachers on how to deliver the conservation message to their classes where the children can be introduced to the subject and take action earlier in their life.

The Guardian project embodies the spirit of the New Zealand Manaaki Fund. The Manaaki Fund, launched by the New Zealand Aid Programme in 2021 was designed to empower and support vulnerable communities and has found its way into Samoa.

The New Zealand Aid Programme has partnered with dozens of organisations that are doing crucial work to listen to, support, and empower vulnerable, marginalised, and hard-to-reach communities.