THE number of Sycamore tree facilitators is expected to increase after training for new facilitators is currently being conducted at the Bible Way Centre, East Honiara.
More than ten participants from different denominations that are working closely with the Prison Fellowship Solomon Islands program within the Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) were part of the weeklong training.
Sycamore tree is a global program that was initiated to do counselling and reconciliation on perpetrators as well as victims and their community, which Solomon Islands is part of.
According to one of Sycamore tree’s pioneer facilitators’, Pr Nachaniel Seru, the training will be a boost to the work of the Sycamore tree program in Solomon Islands.
“This training will be a really helpful to Sycamore tree in achieving its goals and objectives.
“With the wealth of experience I have with the participants, I hope this program will be boosted. Not only to work with people that are locked behind bars, we have also want to see a good number of volunteers to work with victims and perpetrators,” Pr Seru said.
He added that the Sycamore tree program is part of the CSSI rehabilitation policy and all reconciliation must be done under the program.
Pr Seru said they will be dealing with inmates and their families plus victims and their families to the task needs more volunteers.
Similar thoughts were also raised by Mr Simon Mani, an influential facilitator of the Sycamore tree program.
“We have done three similar trainings so far but the passion to do such voluntary work is a challenge for most of the participants.
“To work in such program, one has to be committed and such training is just a part of the Sycamore tree program.
“We are in great need for more facilitators to join our team, and I believe this training will boost the number of facilitators that will help sustain the program in the long run,” Mr Mani said.
Meanwhile, over the past years, since the establishment of the Sycamore tree program in 2007, many perpetrators and victims were being engaged under counselling and reconciliation ceremonies.
