First local book set for launch this Independence

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

 THE first of a local book written, edited and published by Solomon Islanders will soon be launched coinciding with the country’s 40th independence anniversary next month.

Titled, Leadership, Scholarship and Friendship, Our Journey Post-Independence Solomon Islands, this book was written by King George Sixth scholars of 1978 and said to be the first local publication involving only Solomon Islanders from start to finish.

On Saturday a meeting for the final touches of the book was held where some members of the KG Class of 78 shared their jubilation in having reached the final stages of the book.

Messers Sam Alasia and Donald Malasa from the KG Class of 78.

Speaking to Island Sun, spokesperson of the group, Sam Alasia says they were quite pleased that the book’s title also goes in line with the government’s theme for this year’s 40th Independence celebrations, ‘Redirecting our Nation at 40’.

“Our book says Our journey post-independence Solomon Islands and it goes in well with the country’s them of ‘redirecting our nation at 40’.”

Mr Alasia says it hadn’t been an easy task for them since most of the members are not writers.

“From 32 in our class, we managed to get only 13 to write,” he said.

He said he was quite impressed with the stories written by the group of 78.

Loretta Palmer a member from the KG Class of 78.

Also speaking during the meeting, Ruby Titiulu says she hopes the book will enlighten our country’s future generation of the issues they faced growing up with Solomon Islands in the past 40 years.

Titiulu had been at King George the Sixth school from 1972 to 1978 with her ex classmate Loretta Palmer who was also present during the meeting.

“We hope our stories will inspire our children and for them to learn from our experiences,” they say.

The ex KG students that contributed to the book said they were quite mature already in 1978 and had participated in the Independence celebrations as protocol officers.

They say being in form six in 1978 when the country gained independence, they feel it only appropriate that they do something about this important occasion in our country’s history.

“The issues that we talk about in this book are all part of this nation. School, work, legacy including advice is all part of this nation. We went to school when there was no technology. Now with technology, there are still challenges and we hope with our stories we will be able to inspire our younger generation.”

Meanwhile, Elsie Wickham says the stories are personal life stories.

Ruby Titiulu & Elsie Wickham from the KG Class of 78.

“Stories from childhood till we reach form six when our country gained Independence as well as drawing on issues in the country including our personal opinions on issues faced now”, she said.

Writers of the book include names like Dr Kabini Sanga, Donald Malasa, Andrew Kori, Johnson Honimae, Loyley Ngira, Loretta Palmer, Ruby Titiulu, Elsie Wickham, Primo Afeau, Sam Alasia, and Simeon Bouro.

“One of us was halfway through his writing when he died. Dr Michael Anita,” Ms Palmer muses. His story will also be published in our 40 year book of journey, she says.

“It is odd for us to tell our stories, considering our culture that we do not speak about ourselves and our personal lives, but we have chosen to open up because our country is turning 40 years old and for us it had been 40 years when we were at KG and we feel it only appropriate that we also share our personal life’s journey,” Alasia said.

With Dr Sanga and Mr Alasia as Editors, the members are quite pleased that they had been able to complete this project on their own and in time.

They thanked Solomon Islands National University (SINU) for the support especially with the Vice Chancellor being one of them. The KG class of 78 book will be the first publication of SINU.

The book will be launched on July 5, 2018 at the SINU’s Panatina Pavilion.

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