THE Honiara for Vanuatu music concert fundraising held recently at the Youth Hub in Central Honiara raised a total of SBD 59,000 towards the earthquake victims in Vanuatu.
The two-days concert, held from Saturday 21 December to Sunday 22 December, was an initiative by the country’s musicians to help support Vanuatu in its time of distress.
The Saturday segment saw performances by secular bands, while the Sunday segment involved Christian bands. Food and drinks were sold throughout the event.
A musician Willie Kadi, who goes by the stage name Khazin, told the Solomon Star and Paoa FM media team at the concert that this event showed how Solomon Islanders, especially musicians, value the relationship between Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The lawyer by profession said what happened in Vanuatu was really sad and Solomon Islands musicians, like everyone else, were devastated to learn of the earthquake and the destruction and loss of lives it caused.
He added that the concert was symbolic of the solidarity of the friendship between Solomon Islanders and Nivans.
“As a law student, who studied in Vanuatu during my final two years from 2013 to 2014, I have a lot of friends in Vanuatu and so performing here today in aid of the quake victims is like giving back to Vanuatu,” Mr Kadi said.
One of the event organisers, Samson Faisi said a lot of lawyers from Solomon Islands studied at the USP Emalus Campus in Port Vila.
He said many Solomon Islanders also undertook their Australia-Pacific Training College (APTC) courses in Vanuatu.
“We also have a Solomon Islands community in Vanuatu who work with the Ni-Vanuatu community here in Solomon Islands. We will liaise with them and let them know about the music concert.
“Though the concert may not be that big, we hope that whatever amount of money we raise for the earthquake victims, the Vanuatu government will accept it because it is from the people and not the government. Solomon Islands Government may make its own donation,” Mr Faisi added.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
