Through their own experiences with the Special Olympics movement, Silia and Tupu noticed that youth with intellectual disabilities are sometimes left out of school and community events, which inspired them to lead a Youth Innovation Project that counteracts this issue. They will expand upon existing Unified School programs to ensure inclusion in all school and community activities, with the hope that this will improve access to inclusive schools for youth with intellectual disabilities and allow them to develop as people and as future leaders.  

Over 9 months, Silia and Tupu will partner with two schools in the Samoan islands of Upolu and Savaii to develop inclusive community-wide activities like sports events and use these bi-monthly activities as a way to drive the Special Olympics movement forward. The goals of this project are to promote inclusive learning opportunities to ensure no child is left behind, recruit 10 new Youth Leaders and enlist the support of people without intellectual disabilities in the movement for inclusion. Youth will be encouraged and taught to look for other funding sources to continue this project in the future so even more young people can be exposed to the impact of inclusion. Through their project, Silia and Tupu will empower youth to work together to end discrimination and make Upolu and Savaii more inclusive places.