Samoan Student Wins Japanese SDGs Art Festival

APIA, SAMOA – 18 MARCH 2022: A student of the Loto Taumafai Society for the Disabled Incorporated,14 years old Malatai Taufaina, is among the winners in the participating countries for the Japanese SDGs Art Festival held from December 2021 to January 2022.

The competition held in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, received entries from Primary and Lower Secondary schools nationwide in Japan as well as schools all over the world.

Malatai’s work “Education is the Solution to Poverty” is related to SDGs Goal One – “No Poverty” and also Goal Four – “Quality Education.”

The competition Executive committee has congratulated Malatai or his entry.

“Congratulations and thank you to all who submitted the work. From your artwork, we understood that everyone in the world must work together to achieve the SDGs goals. In 2030 our hope is, for the world will be happiness for everyone on earth, will come true.”

During the awards presentation, JICA Samoa Resident Representative, Mr. Akihiko Hoshino encouraged the Loto Taumafai students to consider the Sustainable Development Goals, their environment and surroundings on land, sea and air.  Artistic talent shown by the students’ drawings moved Mr. Hoshino to encourage other students to take up this very worthwhile activity in future, especially when reflecting on these SDGs.

Proudly displaying his prize.

Malatai expressed his happiness in receiving his prizes.  He was excited that his friends and teachers could all witness his achievement.  He looks forward to the next competition where he will definitely participate.  Loto Taumafai Society is one of Samoa’s oldest organizations established in 1981 to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Samoa.