The Champions of tomorrow project of World Vision Solomon Islands and Save the Children that aim at reducing disaster risks in schools has shined in schools in Makira Ulawa Province.
The project that supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) Disaster Ready program is being implemented in Makira and Malaita Provinces.
The project has shined through empowering students in four schools in Makira Ulawa Province on disaster and climate change resilience.
The schools are Toroiwango Primary School, Manama Primary School, Etemwarore Primary School and Taripara Community High School.
Last week World Vision and its partners did a cross learning monitoring trip to the schools to see the progress of the project.
Head Techer of Toroiwango Primary School in Arosi 1 Charles Dauasi applauded the project saying, he is confident that through the drills they usually conducted in the school the students understand what to do and where to run to in an event of earth quake and tsunami.
“I thanked World Vision and your partners for choosing Toroiwango Primary school as one of the project sites, indeed this project is important as children are vulnerable to disaster. I am now confident that my students learn a lot through the disaster drills that we usually conduct,” he said.
Nelly Siehu Head Mistress of Etemwarore Primary School said, her school is now conducting drills every month.
“We have different signals for our drills, so when the signal comes on, even when students are busy in their classrooms or anywhere outside they will all walk up to the assemble area. ,”
“We are serious about this and we now see our students know what to do,” she said.
Disaster Risk reduction programs are important to schools as children and women are 14 times more likely to die or injured during disasters.
The team that toured the schools included the representative from the, Ministry of Education and Human Resources (MEHRD), Malaita and Makira Education Authority, Save the Children, People with Disabilities SI (PWDSI), Makira Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), Provincial Disaster Management Office, Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) and World Vision Solomon Islands.
During the tour, students also conducted drills to show the level of their preparedness and understanding on responding to disasters. . – World Vision Press
