Vaka Paikea has started delivering the Samoa Guardian Programme which aims to improve the environmental literacy of primary school students as a tool for community resilience to the impacts of climate change in Samoa.

The vaka has been chartered by the Samoa Voyaging Society (SVS) to carry out this project.

This week the campaign in the Faasaleleaga districts involved 120 Year 7 students from six primary schools.

The Guardian Programme is an Experiential Environmental Educational Training initiative that was co-developed by Conservation International and partners including Samoan government ministries, civil societies and crop agencies in 2018.

Through Vaka Paikea, the hope is to highlight the plight of the ocean. 

The Cook Islands Paikea crew Steve Daniels, Zebadiah Revake and Katu Teiti along with other crew members are currently on a week’s break doing maintenance before starting part two of the Guardian Programme next Monday.

Vaka Paikea is scheduled to depart for Apia on Saturday to reprovision and wait for Captain Peia Patai to arrive from overseas.