A Change Maker’s Story
The Paoa FM Change Maker’s Program has caught up with another young inspiring leader and innovator who is working by helping young girls and women in various societies and communities in the country today.
With a background and experience in Community Development, Ms. Loate Maetala is a Program Coordinator for Melanesian Women Today (MWT) working under the Girls Scholarship Program.
Before joining Melanesian Women Today, Loate previously worked for a research company in Australia for two (2) years doing research for justice, women’s rights, and other areas.
“After coming back from school in 2018, I thought I would take a break for a year. No more work just enjoyed visiting with family, friends and adventuring around our beautiful islands. But somehow I came straight back to participating in research once again”.
As for The Girls Scholarship Program, Loate worked closely with her other colleagues at Melanesian Women Today, leading her team to reach out to young girls who were unfortunate to complete their education. Currently, under this program, Loate says they’ve partnered with Auki Community High School, the first school they’ve secured and sponsored seven (7) girls who were struggling with their tuitions.
“This is our pilot area and hope that in the coming months or years we can help more young girls at another chance given to further their education. It’s still in the works but we’re trying to get care packages-soaps, sanitary pads, deodorant, stationeries, and other basics needs to the recipients of the scholarships”.
Basically, Melanesian Women Today is a grassroots organization that operates internationally across Melanesia. We have headquarters in Seattle, WA, USA and also in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Our program goals are to empower and help women and girls achieve their full potential, targeting areas like health, education, and entrepreneurship.
Loate says at first she hesitated in joining Melanesian Women Today especially for the Scholarships for Girls Project because it was a new area for her, “but now I’m getting there, every day is a progress when you perform to the best of your ability”.
When asked who inspired her in her line of work mainly with community development, Loate revealed that is was her mother that she took her inspiration from, “my mother, my sisters, the women and girls in my church and women and girls who I’ve met along my path of researching throughout the Solomon Islands but if we’re going to be specific then my biggest inspiration would be my mother. She has pushed me into doing my best and doing more. She’s taught me to ground myself in God’s word despite whatever life throws at me- good or bad. She is the kindest, strongest woman I know. She’s my mentor and hippest friend for sure”.
Surely her passion is placed on community development, Loate highlighted “we’re a country that’s evolving whether we like it or not. I see my passion as a way to influence the generation of today and the future to think about the decisions and actions they make now. Repercussions are bound to happen and it’s our duty as citizens to make our country safe and hopeful for every man, woman, young person, and child”.
Throughout her work she also came across a few challenges of her own describing people with different attitudes is a challenge but somehow along the way, they’re quite easy to overcome.
Loate also revealed what she thinks issues affecting our young people today are a lack of guidance for their careers and mental/emotional stability. Our community needs mentors, our young people need men and women who will step up and be their guide to dream careers and a satisfied life”, in fact here are few of her best advice had been given to her by one of her lecturers back then, (1) Find a mentor- someone who can help you along your career, (2) Have a friend who you can trust with your secrets and also be a responsible partner for you, (3) someone who you can mentor and share your knowledge to. Learn as much as you can, stay accountable and share your wealth of knowledge to someone else- that’s how you keep growing. “If you’re a young person who’s just finished college or left education for some unforeseen circumstances please don’t be too hard on yourself. Take time to get your thoughts and goals together and work on achieving them. Pray daily. Read daily. Choose your friends circle carefully. Never stay mad at anyone for too long. Be kind and love always”.
If you’re a young person planning to take on Community Development as a career, a great example is this extraordinary and wonderful young lady Loate Maetala.
Listen out for the Change Maker’s Program on Paoa FM every Monday at 9 am, 2 pm and 8 pm, the change maker’s program brought to you by the Side By Side Campaign, through Oxfam Solomon Islands.
– Paoa FM News Department
