Eighteen children, aged 12 to 18, who are survivors of violence and reside at the Campus of Hope shelter, have become the founding members of a new Gardening Club. This initiative, overseen by the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG), includes 14 girls and 4 boys and is part of the broader Farm to Table Gardening and Cooking Project.
The project, made possible by the World Health Organization’s Healthy Islands Best Proposal grant awarded to SVSG in 2023, aims to equip the children with valuable skills in sustainable gardening and healthy cooking. The children have begun their journey with Module 1, focusing on Sustainable Gardening, where they are learning to grow their vegetables and embrace eco-friendly practices.
In Module 2, the children are honing their culinary skills, learning to prepare nutritious meals using the vegetables they’ve grown. The final phase, Module 3, will test their abilities in cooking and food presentation, making healthy eating both fun and visually appealing.
This project is not just about skills development; it’s also a therapeutic tool aimed at helping these young survivors heal from their traumatic experiences. By engaging in gardening and cooking, the children are encouraged to develop a love for healthy living and sustainability.
SVSG President Siliniu Lina Chang highlighted the uniqueness of the project, noting its dual focus on nurturing both the body and mind of children in a country facing high rates of violence and obesity. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the WHO and can’t wait to share the amazing results of this project with guests who will be invited to sample the gardening and cooking techniques developed by the Master Chefs at the Campus of Hope,” said Chang.
The initiative aligns with the Healthy Islands vision supported by WHO, which emphasizes nurturing children in body and mind, creating environments that encourage learning and leisure, and maintaining ecological balance.
