Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 5, Samoana high school student Daniella Fagota was selected to receive a 2022 $500 King-Size Hershey Heartwarming Young Hero Grant to promote youth engagement in a Global Youth Service Day project.

The Global Youth Service is the world's largest youth organization that works with youth ages 5 to 25 to help our communities thrive through volunteerism. 

Fortunately, Daniella applied for the grant, which is supported by the Hershey company's youth engagement campaign and she used it to fund supplies for the Finafinau plant nursery as a way for American Samoa youth to engage in community service.

The event took place at Finafinau's Plant Nursery between April 30 and May 7, 2022. Participants on these days were assigned tasks such as digging dirt, planting seeds, pulling weeds, removing debris, and making compost to help upkeep the plant nursery.

SHS student Daniella Fagota applied for a grant supported by the Hershey company’s campaign to support youth involvement. Ms Fagota used it to fund supplies for the Finafinau plant nursery, a project that engages youth in community service. [courtesy photo]

BACKGROUND

The King-Size Hersey Heartwarming Young Hero Grant is one of the grant options ranging from $100 to $500 that Hersey's Heartwarming Project, YSA awards to recipients for youth-led service projects and community building activities on Global Youth Service Day (April 29 - May 1. 2022). 

Finafinau is a youth-empowered environmental community service organization that aims to promote awareness to the public regarding the importance of keeping the environment clean and healthy.

The project provides an avenue for American Samoa’s youth —ages 13 to 20 — to find their voice and become leaders within their communities. The hope of the project is to encourage American Samoa residents to take action in protecting our ocean and land.

Finafinau was founded by Samoana High School teacher and environmental advocate, Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka.