School gardening in Samoa: sowing seeds for youth employment in agriculture
Students from St Mary’s College in Apia, Samoa can finally begin their school garden project.
© FAO
Thanks to vouchers they won in a competition last year, the students were able to obtain the much-needed seeds and equipment for their garden, and are eager to get started. “The girls are very interested in gardening,” said Sina Fitu, vice-principal of St Mary’s College, adding that “our school has a food and nutrition programme. The garden will provide vegetables so we will not have to purchase as much from local markets.”
The vouchers, which were supplied by FAO through the One UN Youth Employment Programme, were awarded as prizes in a competition held among Samoan high schools on World Food Day 2015. The competition was aimed at schools that prioritize agriculture in the school curriculum, and provided an opportunity for students to showcase their projects and explore incentives for continuing with their interest in agriculture, both in their studies and possibly as a career.
FAO is one of five UN agencies supporting the Government of Samoa to reduce youth unemployment through the One UN Youth Employment Programme. The other agencies are the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations Volunteers. The programme is led by Samoa's Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD).