THE Malaita Provincial Government is in the process of securing land for the construction of a youth hub in Auki, a project valued at SBD3 million.
The project will be funded by the National Government through the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.
The youth hub will be a multipurpose facility designed to serve as a one-stop shop, helping young people reach their full potential.
It will offer programmes in health, protection, entrepreneurship and economic livelihoods, along with services aimed at promoting physical fitness, technology, innovation, peer mentoring and educational workshops focused on making healthy life choices.
Malaita Province Premier Elijah Asilaua, speaking on the first day of the Revised 2024/2025 Budget meeting yesterday, highlighted that the facility will equip adolescents and young people with essential life-skills necessary to succeed in the modern workforce.
These skills will include communication, leadership, cultural exchange, interpersonal abilities and decision-making.
The youth hub will focus on the five key areas of health promotion, volunteering, psychosocial support, livelihood and life skills.
Premier Asilaua expressed his appreciation to the National Government for its funding support for the project.
“My government is grateful to the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs for its $3 million funding for the Auki Youth Hub,”
“Given our province’s rapidly growing youth population, 53 per-cent of whom face high unemployment rates and continue to experience high school dropout rates, it is vital that we build a multipurpose youth center that will foster the health and well-being of our youth to help reduce the risk of future social disorder,” Premier Asilaua said.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
