Solomon Islands -  Repair-work on road builds ecumenical bridge of peace
- Francis Toki

Tetere 25 March 2002: When the Catholic and Anglican communities of Komporo and Tumurora decided to repair a road, they probably had no inkling that they were on the road to establishing greater bonds of togetherness and peace. 

The work was executed by a total of 360 representatives belonging to both, the Salesian-run catholic parish of Christ the King as well as parishioners from 5 Anglican churches.  They came together in a spirit of unity and togetherness to repair a dirt-road that is essential and vital for marketing, mediacal and educational trips.  It connects the village to one of the 12 feeder roads on Guadalcanal.  

Work went on for a month - from the 25^th of February to the 24^th of March. With the help of tractors and farm carriers donated to the Salesian parish by Italian volunteers, the work consisted of filling and levelling parts of the 15 kms. road from the Ngalimbiu corner to the Komporo Vge.  

The work was programmed and coordinated by the Komporo Catholic Community under the leadership of Fr. Luciano Capelli sdb, Rector of Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson, with the assistance of the project director, Paul Kaibani.   

To mark the completion of the project a celebration was held at which most of the community chiefs were present. Hon. Stephen Panga of the Guadalcanal province, who graced the occasion, praised the initiative. “It is the first time that churches have come together to do a community civil work,” he said.