Vanuatu’s Ministry of Education and Training has pledged its ongoing support to Van2017 Pacific Mini Games this week, as part of the Government‘s commitment to deliver the Games in December.
Under the MOU signed between the Ministry of Education and Van2017 Pacific Mini Games, the ministry will assist the Van2017 outreach program, which is called the “Champions Program” targeting primary schools around the country.
The Champions Program driven by the Mascot of the Games, Nasi the Nasiviru, the loveable bird and friend of children, will be delivered through a 25-week programme with the distribution of 30,000 booklets and dice, posters and lessons plans to school children in over 400 primary schools across the six Provinces.
A key objective of the Pacific Mini Games is to create awareness that is event of National Significance is not just about SPORT, and that these are Vanuatu Games (not just Port Vila). Like many other Games of this nature (Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games) the Vanuatu Games are about inclusion, respect, dedication, unity and positively affecting community values.
The program promotes the educational aspects of:
- Healthy Lifestyle – physical activity & nutrition
- Healthy Habits – Hygiene – Dental, Wash, Sanitation, Water
- Character of Champions – in sports and in your own life (dedication, setting goals, teamwork, motivation)
- Sports & Culture – awareness of the Pacific Games, sports in general, customs of Vanuatu
Environment – Waste Management, Recycling, Eco-Tourism, Climate Change, Healthy Oceans
The program will be delivered over 25 weeks in primary schools with posters, lesson plans for each subject, encouragement stickers for students and a legacy Nasi& His Friends Go To The Pacific Mini Games booklet complete with games and dice.
Supporting the Program is a visit by the loveable Mascot himself, Nasi, with the assistance of his Abu, the narrator, who will deliver the key messages of the program in an interactive, demonstrative show.
Children can sing and dance with Nasi with the messages reinforced by the 25 week lesson plan & posters.
Nasi will be visiting schools around Vanuatu, and has nearly visited every school in Shefa Province.
Nasi’s next visit will be to Sanma province at the end of May, beginning in Luganville before heading to East of Santo, West and then south of the island. School children in the Islands of Malo, Aore and Bokissa will be fortunate enough to have fun with Nasi and learn more about the progress of the Games preparations.
Van2017 Mascot Nasi will spend fourteen (14) days in Sanma province before returning back to Port Vila.
Nasi will visit Tafea province next month.