BY JOY OFASIA
UNDER the shaded Melanesian leaf hut at St. Barnabas Cathedral, a unique leadership training is bringing together 40 participants from three communities in Honiara.
What sets this gathering apart is not just the exchange of knowledge but the inclusion of 10 people with disabilities, ensuring that no leader is left behind in shaping their community’s future.
The 3-day training, a partnership between Live and Learn Solomon Islands and the People with Disabilities Solomon Islands (PWDSI), is aimed at enhancing the leadership qualities of community representatives from Rock Valley, Nine Ridge, and GG Valley. Funded by the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) Disaster READY program, it is the first of its kind under the Helpim Sista project.
Clement Gevu, a project officer for Live and Learn Solomon Islands, emphasized the importance of equipping leaders to take the initiative in coordinating future trainings and community efforts.
“We want these leaders to be the driving force for change,” he shared with Sunday Isles. “This initiative is more than a workshop—it’s a step toward creating inclusive, resilient communities. Supported by the Australian government, this effort symbolizes the spirit of unity and progress for all.”
