Seventy adolescents from seven villages will gather for a Lessons Learnt Event at the Samoa Stationery &
Books Conference Centre Taufusi on Friday, 20 January 2023.
The event will bring together ten adolescents each from the seven villages of Samalaeulu in Savaii, Fasitoo-
uta, Toamua, Siumu, Fagalii, Luatuanuu and Solosolo, to share on what they have learnt from the ‘Life Skills
Development for Adolescents’ modules delivered by SVSG over the 2-year period.
The modules focused on equipping the adolescents with the necessary life skills to help them thrive in life
through learning 5 core competencies of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Positive
Interpersonal Relationship and Responsible Decision Making.
The approach to address violence against children through building the life skills of the adolescents is a
social and behaviour change communication modalities through sustained community dialogues, peer
education and support groups.
From April 2021 to December 2022, the adolescents from the targeted communities have learnt how to
address positive mental and social health, building respective relationships with others, preventing
interpersonal violence, alcohol and peer pressure, peer support and help seeking as well as online safety
and anti-bullying.
Close to 300 adolescents from the seven communities have participated in the life skills development
workshops over the last two years.
The selection of 10 adolescents each from the 7 communities to the Lessons Learnt Event this week,
provides a perfect opportunity for the participants to build relationships with others and to strengthen
peer support groups establishe amongst the adolescents since the beginning of the program in 2021.
Dr. Akshaya Kumar Mishra who is the Officer in charge of the UNICEF Field Office in Samoa, will represent
UNICEF in giving the Keynote address for the event, as the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Dr. Annefrida
Kisesa is on annual leave.
SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang acknowledges with gratitude the long-term commitment from UNICEF
Pacific in strengthening the child protection system in Samoa, through supporting the work of SVSG.