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.
