New Perspectives

Manuia Plantation, a therapeutic, residential treatment center for young men ages 13-18, is located in the South Pacific island nation of Samoa. This program is for teens struggling with issues which may include substance abuse, ADD, Oppositional Defiant disorder, Attachment disorder and depression.
The center is owned and operated by Galumalemana Alema S. Fitisemanu II, who grew up in Apia and is knowledgeable of Samoan culture. He was part of the management team at Provo Canyon School and Coral Reef Academy Samoa. Dr. Merav Nagel is the Clinical Director and Therapist, who has a MA in Educational Psychology from Haifa University, Ph.D. in Sport Psychology from UNAM and yet another Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Westbrook University. Dr. Merav is fluent in English, Hebrew and Spanish, and has served as an Officer and a Captain in the Israeli Defense Force and brings her military and physical fitness to Samoa's outback.

Training for staff was developed by the University of Oklahoma National Resource Center for Youth Services, which includes: Residential Child and Youth Care and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention. Behaviors are "challenged" through a series of required tasks which students complete through five levels of the program, with completion of the program generally taking five months.

Manuia Plantation incorporates the Samoan culture and wilderness into the program by focusing on individual strengths and potential. Students learn about the native language and culture through dance, art, community service and "cultural immersion" of the island.

Students receive individual, group and family therapy, along with substance abuse counseling.

[The information for this New Perspective came from the Manuia Plantation web site.]