Last week the recently appointed Te Tumu Whakarae (CEO) of Volunteer Service Abroad, Kate Wareham travelled to Samoa and met with their partners working towards sustainable environmental practices. 

Accompanied by the VSA Marketing Communication Manager, Sarah Maxwell, they met with Adi Tafunai, Fuimaono Rosalia Me, and Sylvia Sagar from Women in Business Development Inc (WIBDI) last Tuesday.

WIBDI supports over 800 farmers across Samoa to produce organic coconut oil. Their field work educates farmers in adapting sustainable organic methods to deliver quality oil which is both environmentally friendly and provides regular steady income. WIBDI sells the oil to international brands including The Body Shop and Ethique. 

The following day, they meet with Marina Keil President of the Samoa Recycling Waste Management Association (SWRMA) and learned about their strategy to remove e-waste, plastics and oil waste to reduce the harmful effects rubbish has on soil and water quality in Samoa. At the recycling site in Tafaigata plastic is shredded and electronic equipment broken down to be shipped to overseas recycling centres. They are also experimenting with recycling glass into blocks and look forward to being able to test the strength of the blocks for building.

Ms. Keil told the VSA visiting party that she can see trends in recycling waste as large businesses supply products in Samoa, and it concerns her that these international businesses aren’t setting up their recycling collection programmes that exist in other countries to minimise the impact on the landfill. She is currently contacting these organisations to urge big businesses to extend their recycling programmes to include Samoa. 

Ms. Wareham was heartened by the efforts of these organisations, saying: “It has been inspiring meeting people who are so passionate about the environment.

"I believe we all have a responsibility to look after the land that we are guardians of for the short time we live on the earth, and it is with great excitement that we discuss how New Zealand volunteers can support their visions.”

VSA volunteers are due to begin arriving in Samoa from October 2022. The first volunteer will be the 344th volunteer in Samoa since 1963. This long history was proudly acknowledged last Wednesday night by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Cindy Kiro at a special event with VSA partners, staff and volunteers at the New Zealand High Commissioner's residence in Apia.

During the evening Fuimaono Sarona Ponifasio, President of Samoan Women’s Association of Growers (SWAG), Segialii Marie Malaki, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Alice Niumata-Leota, Leota & Niumata Chartered Accountants all spoke about the difference that VSA volunteers have made to their organisations.

The Governor-General spoke about how she chose to be a patron of VSA because of the strong alignment between the organisation's values and her own.

The evening was a great celebration in recognition of all the hard mahi (work) being undertaken in Samoa and the historic relationship with VSA that connects people together to continually progress the economy, education, health and wellbeing, and also protecting our environment.

Volunteer Service Abroad is New Zealand’s largest international volunteer development agency. The Samoa programme is led by Fuailelagi (Lagi) Natanielu from an office located in Apia.