What Exactly Is SYM13?
Youth Missionary Project to Samoa St Mary’s College (SMC) Apia, January 2013
Focus : To give a face-lift to the two resource centers - Library (Area 1) and Music Room (Area 2) to create an environment that is conducive to study and an inspirational place for learning and teaching.
The focus of the project reflects the critical level of need of Samoan children for improved literacy and numeracy. Current national policy only supports primary school education levels. It should be noted that education is not compulsory at any level.
The Samoan government's education goal is: "Improved Student Learning Outcomes with Specific Emphasis on Raising Numeracy and Literacy Levels.” The two key strategies to achieve this goal are:
a) Improving teaching materials and;
b) Improving school facilities and equipment.
(Minister of Finance, GOS, Strategy for the development of Samoa 2008-12)
In 2009, the tiny island of Samoa experienced devastation and destruction when a tsunami hit the country, shattering lives, livlihoods, homes, businesses & schools. Already a struggling nation in terms of wealth and education, our project aims to be a mutual sharing of talents, time & outreach to our Samoan neighbours. This project is a follow-up of our 2009 Multi-cultural day fundraiser where we raised money for Caritas Australia and their missions in the country following the disaster. It is hoped that this first-hand experience, which no amount of money-giving can do, will heighten our faith even further in being the "hands and feet of Christ" in our world today! Visits to tsunami-stricken towns will form part of the trip as well as hands-on help.
We have made contact with St Mary's College in Apia Samoa, a school in need of repair and encouragement. St Mar'y's College is an all girls Catholic school which is dwindling in numbers. Although it is a private school, the levels of technology, standards of teaching resources and facilities are significantly lower than those seen here in Australia (see photo gallery). BNYG have made it our goal since 2010 to provide an opportunity for our young people to go out into the world - put FAITH INTO ACTION - and provide St. Mary's College with a much needed face-lift to their ageing library & music room.
We are currently looking to restock some of their books, buy some new furniture (chairs, desks, curtains), repaint the rooms & beautify the gardens, so if you can help us out in anyway, we would be more than happy to hear from you.
Please contact us for any queries or if you can help out!