3734_Prison is no nice place

By Fr. Ambrose Pereira, sdb

Henderson, Solomon Islands - George Kadau Oge, aged 28 years hails from Walande, South Malaita. He is presently working in the maintenance section at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson, Solomon Islands. He enjoys his work and supports his parents who live in Honiara. A venture that he carries on with immense pride, is that of running short courses in welding for the inmates of the Correctional Centre, Rove. Here is his story:

George has two brothers and two sisters and is the 4th sibling in his family. He did his primary education at Yandina Primary School and completed his secondary education at Auki Secondary School, Malaita Province.

In 2009 he enrolled for a Carpentry Course at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson. The two years course gave him a discipline for himself, a dedication to daily duty and commitment to hard work. He enjoyed the variety of programs conducted at the clean and organized campus. Soccer and basketball were his favorite sports as he and his companions exhibited discipline and teamwork as they participated in the Rector’s Cup.

George was privileged to have AVI Volunteer Chris Yahram as his Instructor. “Under the able direction and guidance of Mr Chris, as he was affectionately called, we were able to lay a concrete path and install the car park at the Institute. Being the 10th year of the Institute we had a class competition to design a unique stand for the statue of Don Bosco. We enjoyed our work and accomplished all these projects putting in an extra hour of work every afternoon from 3pm to 4pm. It is through these projects that we have imbibed the values of discipline, hard work, commitment and perfection. These projects in concrete stand out as lasting memories of our training years at Don Bosco. Thank you Mr Chris”, said a grateful George.

An enterprising instructor, Chris Yahram loved his boys and was able to get placements for them on the weekends and during the holidays. Besides the experience the students gained from being on an industrial site, it enabled them complete their school fees and have some money for travel and food. George had the opportunity of working and doing his On-the-job training at King Solomon Hotel an experience he recalls with nostalgia.

Learning from his companions was what George recalls vividly. Davis Commins Mabulou, now pursuing a course at SINU, was a student whom George admired. “He led us by his example. He would share his ideas with us and help us in our studies”, said George. At the suggestion of Fr. Pankaj Xalxo he enrolled in the construction management course at the Kukum campus.

During the last three years he has been working with the maintenance team at Don Bosco and is proud to be of service to his ‘Alma Mater’. Under the direction and guidance of Fr. Srimal Priyanga sdb, Principal and Administrator he has been able to learn by doing as he worked with different machines.

Fr. Srimal was on the look out for an instructor to teach welding to the prison inmates and one morning asked George, “Are you ready to teach a unit of the welding course to the prisoners?” “Give me a week to think about it”, replied George. Inspired by the example of Don Bosco, who cared for prisoners, he made his decision and gave Fr. Srimal a positive answer the next morning. He ran a three-month course for prisoners and is now running a weekly class in welding for the Juvenile youngsters. “The prisoners enjoy the experience and learn a lot of values as well”, said George.

He is proud to share his skills and all that he has learnt with the youngsters. “Prison is not a nice place to be in. It is small and the inmates are confined to a limited space”, says George. “Stay free from problems, enjoy your life outside and focus on your goals for your future and your family”, is his advice to the youth of Solomon Islands.

In the years ahead George plans to collect some capital and then organize and run his own carpentry and welding business.