NUSA Baruku community at Gizo, Western Province, is working towards establishing its own primary school this year.
Community chairman Charles Tobire told the Solomon Star during a visit to his village this week.
He said the aim of the project is to improve the delivery of education to their children, as well as the community’s standard of living.
Tobire added his people cannot depend on fishing and diving for the rest of their lives, but must do something to bring up their standard of living up.
The community, with the support from Bishop Luciano Capelli of the Catholic Diocese of Gizo, is now constructing a footpath from Nusa Baruku on the shoreline to the top of the hill overlooking Gizo town on the eastside.
Tobire said the footpath is the longest in the Western Province with several milometres in length.
The proposed primary school will be built on the hill top, often referred to by the villagers as “Million Dollar view”.
A group residing at Gizo, comprising of locals and Italian volunteers, is assisting the community in the construction of the footpath.
They have also constructed a building at the Village Mission centre to accommodate students while waiting for the construction and completion of the school.
Tobire told said three classrooms and three staff houses are to be completed by June.
He said when this is done, existing classrooms will be used by women and youth groups of the community.
Children of the community started attending kindergarten classes two years ago while class one, two and three started last year.
Tobire acknowledged donors from Italy for funding the project.
Villagers of Nusa Buruku settled the community since the 1980s.
The chairman pointed out that one reason why they pursue the project is to improve the community and get their youths to engage in positive activities.
He urged youths of the community to be patient with their leaders and listen to advices from elders.
Tobire said the community values working together and the main symbol of their togetherness is the Te Maneaba house, where people meet to discuss all issues affecting them.
By COMFORT MAENI
in Gizo
