South Pacific Tour 2002 Watters and Associates "I learned that giving recognition of the virtues in others and ourselves can help prevent suicide, depression, violence and abuse." Student at Leififi College

Presentations on human rights in the family and The Virtues Project were hosted by four secondary schools in Samoa during July 2002. It is estimated that these programs reached 300 senior students and nine teachers. Students particularly enjoyed demonstrating the virtues using short skits, which generated much laughter.

Samoa College was the scene of the first presentation of the campaign. Students assembled and began by enthusiastically singing the Samoan national anthem. They then participated wholeheartedly in discussion and activities designed to raise awareness about human rights in the family. Their courtesy and joyfulness provided an encouraging start to the campaign. One of the teachers was delighted with the presentation because she had registered for a Virtues Project training course the following week in Fiji. "Now I'm really eager to attend," she said.

At Robert Lewis Stevenson College 78% of the students indicated that they thought this subject was "very important". 85% rated the presentation "excellent". When asked what they learned, they said such things as "that I have a lot of virtues and how to find virtues in other people"; "that virtues words are a powerful tool. They can have a great effect, impact, and change a person"; "That no one is perfect, that its human to make mistakes and if you made no mistakes, you'd never learn"; "That virtues are important in everything you do"; "That you can overcome anything by discovering your virtues"; "if you are strong in the virtues you will be successful and happy".

At Leififi College 100 students assembled to sing several Samoan songs. The exchange of music continued after the human rights presentation when Ms. Watters taught students a song she had composed about the virtue of truthfulness. Then students sang again and engaged her in some "traditional" Samoan dancing, much to everyone's amusement. 85% of the students rated the presentation "excellent" . Some of the things they learned were "that virtues can bring us joy and happiness"; "how to solve problems without fighting and punishment"; "that if I get in trouble, then virtues will help solve it"; "the importance of developing our inner strengths and powers"; "When I have children I will know what to do".

At Vaipouli College on the Island of Savaii, 120 students gathered for morning assembly in their outdoor fale to learn about how to develop good character. There was torrential rain, which created a noisy background, but fortunately the rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits. And it turned off instantly as the presentation ended--of course!

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