THEY worked under the scorching sun and heat to ensure students of Burns Creek Adventist High and Primary School in East Honiara have a new multipurpose hall.
A team of about 23 students and support staff from Hills Adventist College in Sydney, Australia, spent about two weeks at Burns Creek Adventist School to construct a new 500 square metre multipurpose hall.
The team arrived in Honiara late September and immediately got down to work on the construction of the steel-frame structure.
Upon their arrival, the school officially welcomed the guests at the school compound.
During the construction phase, the team were assisted by the staff and students of Burns Creek, other construction volunteers, parents and guardians to ensure the main structure was erected.
The ready-made pre-fabricated structure was shipped from Australia.
When the students arrived, they got the structure up and finally covered it with roofing last week.
The main task which is now left is to pour concrete cement for slabbing.
Since the inception of the school, it has been operating without a hall for assemblies, meetings, graduation ceremonies and other large events and would use the Burns Creek SDA Church for their assemblies and the Maranatha Hall for graduations.
Because it has been a a long-time dream for the school to have its own hall, the school administration was grateful for the support from their Australian supporters.
The group returned to Australia last week and Burns Creek School formally organised a farewell reception for them.
It was an emotional farewell for everyone after weeks friendship and fellowship.
Ken Long who accompanied the students said the Year 11 Hills Adventist College students worked very hard on site at Burns Creek School to build the multipurpose hall.
After the roof of the hall was completed, Brett Partridge from Kellyville Church in Sydney used his electrical skills to install UFO lights. Mr Partridge and his wife Christine are major supporters of Adventist education in Solomon Islands. Mr Partridge was accompanied by another Kellyville member Gervais Appave.
The school administration during the farewell reception expressed gratitude to the visiting students.
High School Principal Pattinson Bekala in his speech said, “Yes, we did it,” after the task of placing the roof was completed.
He also thanked Dr Alex Currie and Pastor Ray Eaton for raising funds and shipping the containers to the country.
Mr Bekala expressed amazement at the work in coordinating such undertaking.
“This assistance to get this hall up cannot be underestimated,” he said.
Mr Bekala said building the school hall is an investment that will bring more benefits for current staff and students and future staff and students.
“The hall will be a centre piece for the community,” he said.
Mr Bekala thanked the students and staff of Hills College for their commitment to support the project.
He said the school has a long-established relationship in supporting Adventist schools in Solomons Islands.
“Your students have been worked magnificently with energy and have developed the love with our students. You have been a blessing. This is a trip you will remember for a life time. Thanks for the support,” Mr Bekala said.
Mr Bekala also thanked other Adventist schools like Betikama and Kukudu for releasing their technical staff to support the project.
He also acknowledged the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM) and Burns Creek SDA Church leaders for their ongoing support to the school.
Minister of Education & Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Lanelle Tanangada who was invited to the farewell ceremony took the opportunity to thank the Hills students for their support in ensuring the project is half way through completion.
She said investing in Adventist Education is very important for the future of children in Solomon Islands.
Minister Tanangada said this investment will benefit future students and staff.
“Thank you for your support in in Adventist Education. This is a testament for your big love and support for this country.
“Thank you for the support which shows your big hearts to this nation,” she said.
Last weekend, youth volunteers from a number of Adventist churches in Honiara came out to prepare the groundwork for the hall slabbing.
The Hills Adventist College students also visited the Luluga Adventist School and Kukum Adventist School whilst in Honiara.
By MOFFAT MAMU
