Children in villages and schools around Vanuatu have been touched and inspired by the presence and the messages delivered by the Van2017 Sagoa, known as Conch Shell, and Games mascot Nasi.
Van2017 wants to make sure that people in the villages in Vanuatu are involved in and own the Games in December.
As their journey progress along Island in the Province of Penama, Sagoa and the lovable bird Nasi are capturing children’s hearts, as well as promoting healthy habits and lifestyles, through the inception of the Champions Program in schools.
Having Nasi and the Sagoa in person in front of them has boosted children’s knowledge about the Pacific Mini Games that Vanuatu is ready to host this year.
“Children in the village are so happy to see new faces in the village, and that usually grabs their attention. It is the first time for us to receive a visit of that sort where we could see a Mascot that represents a known bird in our island - very colourful, giant, and walking in front of us,” said Zone Curriculum Advisor Ronald Vutiala, from Lolopuepe Catholic Mission School.
“We did not introduce the Champions Program in the classroom yet, since we just received the materials recently, but teachers did already talk about it to our children, so even though they didn’t go through the lesson plan yet they already got, in principle, all the messages from the Mini Games by having Nasi and Sagoa’s visit.
“As a ZCA, having for the first time such program is a great development for our school. I think we must continue and keep such program even after the Games, because it is designed in such a way that suits us very well in rural areas, our village environment, and this is what we are looking for, to help children understand well these messages. The program comes with lots of information.”
As the Sagoa passes by all islands in all the provinces, elderly people ‘bubu’, men, women, boys and girls and people with disability are able to touch it, gave their wishes as they will be sent out to all athletes on December 4, 2017, during the Opening Ceremony at Korman Stadium, when the Sagoa will be blown to herald the start of the Games.
The Van2017 Mascot Team is now ending its journey in Penama Province, touring Pentecost, Maewo and Ambae.
Photo supplied