Global Parents
Category Archives: Pacific Islands
Samoa’s White Sunday celebrates children
Samoa came to a virtual standstill today as the nation turned its focus squarely on children as part of White Sunday celebrations. Held on the second Sunday of October each year, White Sunday is an opportunity for this deeply religious community to celebrate the gift of children.
The country is still coming to grips with [...]
Tsunami also takes toll on learning hopes and dreams
When people think of disasters, they probably don’t immediately think about education. There are so many other immediate concerns – need for medical help, need for shelter, need for food and water – that some might consider education not such a high priority. But that’s not the case at all.
It’s vital for children to get [...]
Also posted in Emergencies, Uncategorized Tags: Education, Emergencies, Pacific Islands, Samoa 2 Comments
Tsunami warning stirs up bad memories
It was pandemonium in Apia, Samoa today when the tsunami siren sounded. People quickly filled the streets, driving and walking away from the harbour in downtown Apia towards higher ground. With so many vehicles all headed in the same direction there was an instant traffic jam. It was actually quicker to walk.
The roadside soon [...]
Heartbreaking scenes in Samoa Tsunami disaster zone
It’s hard to describe what it’s like in Samoa’s tsunami disaster zone. I accompanied a UNICEF emergency assessment team into Poutasi today, a village on the hard-hit southern coast.
The 40 minute trip from Apia through mountain roads was pleasant. The terrain is all tropical vegetation with very few settlements. Reaching the top of the mountain [...]
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Children helping children in tsunami clean-up