2987 PNG-SI Gizo visit, Bishop Capelli
austraLasia #2987

New Zealand takes close interest in Training Centre and a rather special Ultralight!
by + Luciano Capelli sdb

GIZO: 12 January 2012
-- "The newly established St Peter's Training Centre has been graced by a visit from the New Zealand Foreign Minister.

As I  landed in Nusatupe with my small plane from a Shortlands visit on a beautiful sunny day, I was surprised to see three planes land after me in the span of 5 minutes. I then had the pleasure of a visit to the newly contracted hangar from a smiling gentleman, followed by what looked like a good number of well-wishers. He was truly interested in the Ultralight plane, gave it a good look over and asked few relevant questions  that only an aficionado of flying could ask... seeing my white hair and knowing my age, he was smiling broadly... he knows he is still on time to complete  flying school!  It was truly a pleasant encounter. I then cleaned up and prepared to welcome the New Zealand Foreign Minister and, lo and behold, I see I am shaking hands with the same gentleman who visited the hangar an hour earlier!

The visit to the Saint Peter's Training Centre could not have been more familiar and informal... The minister posed in front of the OBM (outboard motors) for a picture to share with his 87 year old dad who loves repairing OBMs... The short visit was indeed a great honour for our Training Centre (still a baby... but a baby 'lion'). It shows the interest New Zealand has in the area of youth support for prevention of criminality as well as in the area of technical growth opportunities for Solomon youth.

Some of the student who are now on holidays,were contacted and were present to welcome and wish the good Minister all the best. They indeed felt privileged to have received a visit from such an important person who came to Gizo for just half a day...
It really shows that technical education for life and for a living is the solution for taking good care of our youth who have missed out on chances for formal education.

This is what the diocese of Gizo is trying to do, in Vanga Teachers' college, in St Dominic's Vanga, In St Anne's, and Saint John Bosco's, Shortlands, where a one week long seminar on technical education is now ongoing".
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This seems an appropriate place to also include a brief note on a recent youth training session in Gizo, run with support from the Salesians in Honiara. We leave the word to one of the young leaders:

Youth Leadership Training Workshop, St. Peter's Parish, Gizo Diocese
Hilda Anihoniara, Leader

A youth leadership training session was conducted in St. Peter's Parish, Diocese of Gizo, from 2nd to 5th January, 2012. Twenty youth participants attended the youth leadership training program.  The resource persons were Fr. Srimal Priyanga sdb and Hilda Anihoniara.  The workshop was an inspiring one.  “I have learnt and experienced so many new things about Youth Leadership.  It has given me ideas and strengthened me to enable my youth members reach out to other youth members in the other parishes of our Diocese”, said May Thugea. “We thank our two animators and we are looking forward for more programs like this in our diocese”.

Domitila Vengo said, “This youth leadership program was inspiring.  As a youth leader this is my first youth leadership training. I feel that I’ve learnt a lot. We learnt about our identity, leadership qualities, effective leadership, community building, and youth development through participation. The program broadens our knowledge and understanding of what we need to do as leaders of the parish. It will be nice that we have more programms in our parish to enable us youth leaders manage our youth groups”.

The youth leaders of St. Peter's Parish, Diocese of Gizo, said they need more youth participation in parish youth programs and greater commitment to improve youth programs in the parish. Diocesan and parish support is very good and really encouraging.  St. Peter's Parish, Gizo, has developed from a Youth Centre facility and has established Mama Margaret’s Kindy School and a beautiful St. Peter’s Cathedral.  This is a big support to the young people of Gizo.