Samoa - Training and developing young people to be actively involved in caring for the poor and needy in their communities

Training and developing young people to be actively involved in caring for the poor and needy in their communities, Samoa. The goal was to develop youth who are a source of unity for the family, a model of excellence, a champion of the poor, and patriotic.

Who's involved?

Project leader: Enele Westerlund

Lead organisation: CFC-Youth for Christ, Lepea Chapter

Other organisations: American Samoa CFC -Youth for Christ; Lepea Catholic Church Youth; Mulivai Cathedral Youth; Couples for Christ; Singles for Christ; Lepea Catholic Church 7:00 AM Community; Lepea Catholic Church 8:30 AM Community; Archdiocese of Samoa & Tokelau

Timeframe: July 2006 - January 2007

Objectives:

To be leaders in their family, school and community
To encourage young people to build friendships with like-minded youth
To provide for the youth's social, cultural, recreational, and spiritual development

Activities:

Plan, organize and hold a Family Night of games and entertainment where donations of used clothing and food items will be collected;
Plan, organize and undertake visits to 12 needy families in nearby villages to deliver food and clothing and discuss the needs of the families, in cooperation with the St Vincent de Paul Society;
Plan, organize and undertake a visit to the Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged where the youth will present food donations and organize entertaining activities;
Plan, organize and undertake a visit to the Vailoa Home for the Elderly and Sick Nuns to present food donations, organize entertainment activities and clean-up the outside area;
Organize a short follow-up youth camp at the end of the volunteering activities to evaluate the success of the activities and plan future events; report on volunteer commitments made at this youth camp;
Evaluate the impact of the project by conducting a questionnaire/survey among the youth participating in the activities and repeating it at the end of the project to see how their attitudes toward volunteering have changed; analyse the results;
Undertake publicity and promotional activities to include newspapers, radio and television;