Aoga Fiamalamalama School student in Alafua Mr. Minoi Simeone, 18years of age is the proud winner of Niihama SDGs Art Festival competition held in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Fourteen (14) drawings were submitted in December 2021, by the students with Intellectually Handicapped needs aged between 12 years to 31 years old.
The competition was organized by the Steering Committee of Niihama SDGs Art Festival facilitated by Niihama City Board of Education, Niihama City Museum of Art and the Akagane Museum Managing Group with the theme “Let’s Make the World More Peaceful Through Art” using the (17) SDGs to transform the world;
| NUMBER | SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL | NUMBER | SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL |
| 1 | No Poverty | 10 | Reduced Inequalities |
| 2 | Zero Hunger | 11 | Sustainable Cities and Communities |
| 3 | Good Health and Well-being | 12 | Responsible Consumption and Production |
| 4 | Quality Education | 13 | Climate Action |
| 5 | Gender Equality | 14 | Life Below Water |
| 6 | Clean Water and Sanitation | 15 | Life On Land |
| 7 | Affordable and Clean Energy | 16 | Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions |
| 8 | Decent Work and Economic Growth | 17 | Partnerships For The Goals |
| 9 | Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure |
Entries received by Primary and Lower Secondary schools all over Japan, as well as schools around the world. The message behind the competition is realization of world peace and a sustainable future will lead to the development of greater, more visible efforts toward the achievement of SDGs.
Mrs. Faanita Simeone, 63 year old and mother to Minoi when interviewed, spoke of her shock when the Principal of Aoga Fiamalamalama School Ms. Sharon Suhren called to announce that her son had won an award. She had no idea her son had entered an arts competition, let alone an arts competition held in Japan. Speaking fondly of her son, she said he enjoys Sports, Music, Dancing and most of all Art drawings. Minoi has enrolled at Aoga Fiamalamalama school since 2009 and added her son is quite happy and content at school. He does not enjoy staying at home and always looks forward to school everyday.
School Principal Sharon Suhren, acknowledged the support of JICA Samoa Office and Japan towards so many of their school activities which includes funding of their school building, technical assistance through JICA Volunteers and school equipment donated; musical instruments, art supplies, weaving machine and the keyhole garden on the school compound they have continued to maintain since it was introduced by former JICA Volunteer Mr. Hiroshi Miyazaki.