Renewal in Samoa, Insights from life skills training.

Abstract

Faced with certain pressing social problems in rural Samoa, a local NGO, Matuaileoo Environment Trust Inc (METI) is mounting programmed in life skills training (LST). An evaluation of several recent courses suggests an overall positive response to the training, mixed with some indifference, negatives and backsliding. Analysis of the participants’ responses reveals a series of inter-related discourses: distress; problem-solving; renewal; awareness of others in society; and the efficacy or need for the LST. Overall, the evaluation suggests some movement towards regeneration, with increased awareness of social issues and willingness to address them. The analysis is a contribution to addressing sensitive social matters in the South Pacific in need of continuing inquiry.