DAY 14: YOUTHS CLIMATE ACTION TARGET MEASLES AFFECTED FAMILIES

​The young climate activists of the Samoa Victim Support Group Junior (SVSG Junior) have utilized the youth’s monitoring and evaluation role for the SVSG Measles Outreach, to promote a healthy living and a clean environment for the affected families. 
 
The target for the climate activists before returning to school late January, is to reach the most vulnerable families based on the needs assessment carried out bye the Measles Outreach, focusing on the families who have lost loved ones to the measles, 
 
Initiated by one of the SVSG Junior members, the 16-year old Marion Tavai-Fruean who have been travelling with the Measles Outreach team since Day 1, Ms. Fruean saw poverty, overcrowded households and poor living conditions, as some of the common factors amongst 90% of the affected families visited by the SVSG Measles Outreach.  
 
Close to 20 youth volunteers cleaned up the surrounding environment of families at Leififi, Sogi, Vaimoso, Pesega while at the same time, showing the young family members how to sort out waste and recycle materials rather than dumping them in the backyard.  “It breaks my heart to see children living in such poor living conditions; and it makes my friends and I appreciate what we have because the children from most of the families we have reached are not as fortunate.” Ms. Fruean.
 
Seeing is believing, and for most of the young activists, what they have seen is the reality of the struggle faced by our families, and the damage to the environment from not disposing of waste properly.
 
After the hard day’s work, the youth gathered 34kg of alluminium and steel which earned them $30.00 for more cleaning materials and detergent as the clean up work continues.
 
“Thank you to the parents of the young climate activists for allowing your children to do their part in addressing the priority concern for our environment, while bringing a smile to the faces of the vulnerable familes affected by the measles.” Siliniu Lina Chang.