BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
WORLD Vision Solomon Islands witnessed the handover of a Jacob’s ladder by youths from Uatae to their community in East Malaita on Tuesday this week.
The project is a Community Service Learning Project (CSLP) adopted with the IMPACT + Club approach under WVSI to support youths to give back to their communities.
Project Manager Youths Social Entrepreneurship Project (YSEP) in WVSI Auki office, Mr Robert Firidede said the purpose of the project is to strengthen youths to realise their leadership potential in community service.
He explained that the project began with a community consultation with youths as opportunity was given to them to select the minor project of their choice for their community.
Firidede said after the project was identified, WVSI guided the youths on planning and implementing the project. The project was a shared-cost between WVSI and Uatae community and was voluntary.
“So after all, the project is not belongs to WVSI, but youths of Uatae community as they selected and executed it.
“WVSI’s role in the project was to guide and facilitate the project to successfully complete and enjoy by the community,” he said.
WVSI National Director, Mr Jimmy Nadapdap thanked the community of Uatae for the great work done despite challenges encountered during implementing the project.
He said under the project, WVSI came to unleash the potential available in this community and see people “pick on from there and go. And importantly, the transfer of knowledge of experience on this project to younger generations”.
Nadapdap said WVSI will not always here, so the sustainability of the project is important to ensure the project continues to benefit the community.
He said success of the project is not major during the closing of the project, but it major after its closing. That is why the sustainability of the project is important.
Meanwhile, representing New Zealand MFAT to the ceremony, Ms Josie Anne Ashley thanked Uatae community for the partnership built with WVSI and New Zealand on the project.
She said New Zealand government recognized the important role youth’s contribute towards the development of their family, community, province and country.
Saying with that New Zealand government has invested funds through various organizations under their programs aimed at building young people in the country.
Ashley said New Zealand government is happy to fund the project through WVSI by supporting Uatae youths to contribute back to their community.
