New phase at Tetere, North East Guadalcanal
- Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb
HONIARA: 30th May -- A parchment document signed by prominent persons to mark the beginning of a new phase of development for the people of North East and Central Guadalcanal was placed in the ground to mark the second phase of growth for Don Bosco Solomons. Present for the occasion were EU representative Hendrikx Smets who will partly finance the project and Fr. Orlando Puppo sdb, the Salesian Provincial who will be the one responsible for personnel to execute and run the institutions to be constructed. The ceremony was held on 28th May, 2003 in the presence of Guadalcanal Premier Ben Waita; Guadalcanal Provincial Member Stephen Panga; Landowners and Chief representative, Samuel Saki; Churches representative Rev. John Mandha and Christ the King parish chairman Vincent Kue along with several hundred men, women and children.
Present also were young men who are undergoing an informal carpentry training at Don Bosco Technical Training Center, Henderson for the past three months. They will be the ones to build as well as train others in the skills that they have recently gained. Vincent Kue, Parish Committee Chairman assured the gathering that 25% of the community contribution will be in the form of labour and materials from the community. Guadalcanal Premier, Ben Waita thanked the churches for their vision and belief that they need to develop persons ‘in totality’. He thanked the landowners for their willingness to place the land at the disposal of the community. He was obviously delighted that the church is ready to embark on educational and health activities and urged his people to work together and not against each other. This, he reminded them, is the only way to build up persons. Rev. John Mandha made a pledge of unity and peace that all come and work together.
EU representative, Hendrikx Smets was happy to support this community project assigned to Don Bosco. Health and education are important for the people of Guadalcanal. Mr. Smets reminded all present that they must fulfill the 25% of their contribution. Fr. Orlando Puppo sdb, Salesian Provincial, stated clearly the conditions of Don Bosco – among them an atmosphere of peace and order and above all no land disputes. He implored the blessings of God on all those who have been generous and made sacrifices. He is proud to be able to give hope and build up Solomon Islands. He is also looking at other possibilities for future development of our people.
