THE Words and Pictures Solomon Islands book project launched yesterday aims to stimulate links between students from Australian schools and students in Solomon Islands, revealed Dr Irene Paulsen.
She said the spur of the links will then begin through sharing drawings and stories prepared by students.
Ms Paulsen adds through this link it aspires to expand a deeper perceptive of the student group each other’s culture, beliefs and living conditions.
She adds that apart from Solomon Islands Australian Government have also been working with other countries including Africa and China.
KOKONUT Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) is currently engaged in efforts to promote its products in the local and global market.
KPSI’s sales and marketing manager, Mr Calwin Kepo expressed this to the paper yesterday.
He explained that they had held talks with Honiara City Council purposely for them to get a heads up about the fee for sales promotion around Honiara and how to go about it.
Moreover, Kepo emphasised that the main idea behind this is to raise awareness for people in in the capital who are not well versed about their products and associated benefits.
He adds that this is also about creating a sense of patriotism
“Our aim is to create a sense of patriotism where our people can be proud of our products because they are made from coconuts, our coconuts,” said Kepo.
On another note, he stated that they are looking forward to working with the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau to identify dates of tourist boats and international tourists expected in the country.
Kepo stresses that this will be a great platform for KPSI to showcase their products and promote Solomon Islands products at the international stage.
“Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) will be able to display and market its products to international visitors.
“Such events will help promote Solomon Islands products to the international market or scene, benefitting not only KPSI but the country as a whole, particularly the local coconut farmers,” he said.
MOST people are not aware about Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands products.
This is according to the company’s sales and marketing manager, Mr Calwin Kepo.
He stressed that they are trying to promote their products as well as publicly inform people of the health benefits their natural products have.
Moreover, Kepo said that one thing people should know is that KPSI has gone organic and is chemical free with very limited use of the substance.
“So we’re trying to promote our products in Solomon Islands so that people can purchase our products instead of buying chemical added products,” he said.
Kepo adds that with their natural products, they are also promoting healthy living and some of these products include fragrances, therapy oil, cooking oil and soap.
With regards to pricing, he explained that while some shops in the capital sell coconut oil that have a pinch of chemical, their coconut oil is natural.
“Our coconut oil is natural, it is not expensive but the price is related to the quality and the healthy lifestyle benefits that comes with it.
“Even now, overseas, people are trying to get hold of natural products,” said Kepo.
He furthers that if you are health conscious then being aware of your health in terms of knowing what you consume and what you put on your body is very important.
SOLOMON Islands schools using the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) are urged to collaborate to produce better academic results for students.
The call was made by Mr Basil Tavake, Admin Director for Holau Christian Academy (HCA), one of the schools that operate under ACE curriculum.
“However this can be achieved if all the schools see values in working together as common goal and will also give a meaningful reason to work together.
“Because in returned collaboration will provide all cooperative partners or schools with equal opportunities to participate and communicate their idea about school plans and visions,” Basil said.
In addition the collaboration all urged to work toward will then allows students to absorb subject material at their own PACE (Packet of Accelerated Christian Education) rather than being forced to learn at a pace by a teacher in a classroom environment.
Also its programmes will enable schools and home schools to administer PACEs to multiple students on different grade levels with minimal staffing and will helps students to enhance their gifts talents for ministry work both local and abroad.
Deputy Principal for Adaua Provincial Secondary School in Malaita, Mr Davidson Rilaua acknowledging the Minister for MAL Mr Augustine Auga
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
DEPUTY Principal of the Adaua Provincial Secondary School in Malaita, Mr Davidson Rilaua has commended MP Augustine Auga for infrastructure development planned for Lau/Mbaelelea constituency.
People who dwell in the mountains of North East Malaita are excited and proud about the heavy machines Mr Auga sent for road developments beginning from the main road to the highlands.
Heavy machines dump truck, loader, digger and excavator were already sent there, and construction is ready to kick start any time soon this year.
For so long people living in the mountains of North East Malaita in Lau/Mbaelelea constituency have faced difficulties in road accessibility and this planned project is a breakthrough this year.
The project is sponsored by the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock and MP for Lau/Mbaelelea constituency Mr Augustine Auga.
Speaking for highlanders, Mr Rilaua acknowledged and commended Hon Auga for such a positive move to construct road accessibility which has been a dare needs for people living on the mountains.
He said completion of the project will provides efficiency for accessing services such as clinics, schools and transportation of garden goods to Auki market or even far as Honiara Central Market.
“I salute and acknowledged Mr Auga for taking such initiative and landowners for allowing development to go through which we already see heavy machines for road constructions,” Mr Rilaua said.
Rilaua said this shows Mr Auga has a concern for people in the Lau/Mbaelelea constituency although criticism comes from the constituency.
AUKI town council (ATC) is being urged to carry out rubbish collection regularly in the town, including the market and residential areas.
A concerned John Kalu told this paper yesterday, “Heaps of rubbish started pilling up around the streets and the residential areas in Auki because of no proper collection of rubbish by the ATC workers.”
Kalu added, the Malaita provincial town council section should have a vehicle to do such duties in the provincial capital.
“Cleaning up of our town is not big programs only but it must a regular duty as town council workers especially to keep our town clean and healthy.
“The Malaita provincial government should look seriously on this issue and addressing it by providing better logistic to the ATC workers especially to do cleaning up in and around Auki town.”
MANY Christians in Honiara took their time yesterday to attend church services purposely to receive the sign of a black cross smudged on their foreheads telling the arrival of Ash Wednesday.
“Ash Wednesday”, a day of fasting, is the traditional first day of Lent in Christianity that occurs 46 days before Easter.
It is understood that during Ash Wednesday annually, a Holy Mass, Service of worship, Divine Service, Divine Liturgy and placing of ashes on the foreheads usually take place being observed by Christians.
CAMPAIGN managers (CM) are on a three-day advocacy training beginning yesterday in Auki.
Facilitator Casper Fa’asala from the Solomon Islands national council of women (SINCW) said the training aims to empower participants especially women on how to do campaigning in politics in their wards and constituencies.
“We are educating people on advocacy trainings as we approach our national general election by early next year.
“The participants will deliver advocacy awareness’s in their communities within their respective wards and constituencies.
“These three days of training will provide the participants as campaign mangers more information and knowledge.
“This same training is also conducted in Buala Isabel province where we are looking forward to organize such training in other provinces after Buala and Auki.”
The training is facilitated by Solomon Islands Council of Women and was fully supported by the European Union (EU), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and UNDP.
One of the women participants Mrs Brenda Tome appreciated the training as ‘one of the best trainings ever attended’.
“I have involved in politics during the past years but I have no clear knowledge on how to become a campaign manager.
“I have work closely with one of our women politician in Malaita province and I see women are capable to become leaders in the national parliament.
“Women’s issues will be address if we have more women into the politics.”
Participants in a group photoCM’s in a group discussion
PM Hou preparing to present a shell money to the incoming chair, PNG PM Peter O'Neil
PM Hou preparing to present a shell money to the incoming chair, PNG PM Peter O’Neil
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has officially handed over the Melanesian Spearhead Group chairmanship to his Papua New Guinea counterpart Peter O’Neil in Port Moresby on Tuesday evening.
The handing over ceremony took place at the indoor Sir John Guise Stadium which also saw exchange of gifts and a traditional ceremony staged by the host country.
Prime Minister Hou when handing over the chairmanship role also presented a shell money to the PNG Prime Minister as a show of transfer of responsibility.
In his speech during the occasion, Hou encouraged leaders of all MSG member countries to uphold unity and respect for MSG countries and our people.
Hou said under the Solomon Islands chairmanship over the last two years; it has continued to uphold the MSG charter and maintained relationships with member countries as well as other MSG members.
The Prime Minister said although MSG has gone through some rough patches they have continued to resolve them in the true spirit of Melanesian brothers.
“Allow me to say that, if Solomon Islands has broken any bridges with any members of the MSG family during our 2 years of chairmanship, we will make needful amends and rebuild these broken bridges. We will normalize and enhance our bilateral relationships with all members of the MSG family. We will ensure to enhance our relationships with all members, associate members and observers of the sub regional organization,” he said.
PNG PM delivers his speech
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to also express sincere gratitude to his colleague prime ministers who attended the meeting, and looks forward to dialoguing with them on the cultural, economical, political and social issues in the Melanesian sub region.
“We must continue to affirm and consolidate our solidarity through discussions of on these issues and pave new pathways to a better sub-regional organisation,” he said.
Hou also encouraged other MSG leaders to continue to render support to the new MSG chair.
“In the spirit of sharing equal responsibility of managing our people and resources in our sub region, let me also call upon other Leaders in our sub region to render constructive support to the Incoming Chair and provide unreserved commitment to the work of the MSG Secretariat.
“Melanesia is our region. Melanesia is our home. Melanesia, is you and me. Let us work together to protect and conserve Melanesia for the good of Melanesians in our sub region,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
WHATEVER money received through the property rate from NPF, Central Province Premier said they will support in speeding up the project for water supply at Tulaghi’s western end.
Tulaghi will soon be wholly water supply connected after Solomon Water complete their work at the western end of the island according to Hon Patrick Vasuni.
He said it is one of the biggest demands from the National Provident Fund (NPF) to have water supply reaching their Staff houses at the former Sasape Married Quarter area.
“Whatever money we receive through the property rate from NPF, we will support the organisations (Solomon Power and Solomon Water) in speeding up the project,” said the Premier.
He elaborated that there are other new developments in tourism that are developing at the western side of the island, so there is the need for them to have access to water supply as well.
