Dear Editor – I would like to send a note to be included in the paper, if possible, recognising the goodwill and assistance of Atkinson from Imperial Travel Service and Betsy of the Honiara Airport Taxi Association.
I recently left my personal phone in the back of a taxi after returning from the domestic airport.
I called the phone several times that evening, but it was on vibrate and could not be heard by the driver.
By morning, I received the dreaded “Power Off” message.
When I arrived at work, my colleague contacted the Solomon Island Visitor’s Bureau to inquire about the number for the Honiara Airport Taxi Association and I was put in touch with Atkinson Rence, who is the Treasurer for the Honiara Airport Taxi Association and also manages Imperial Travel Service in Solomon Islands.
Without me asking, Atkin offered to pick me up at my office and take me back to the airport to see if we could find my phone and to determine which driver had transported me the evening before.
Unfortunately, having dealt with a few cancelled flights, I was extremely tired and had forgotten the driver’s name!
Upon arrival at the airport the next day, within 5 minutes (and with the help of the other Airport Taxi Association Drivers), we figured out it was Betsy.
Atkin rang Betsy and asked if he had found my phone. He had not. But, Betsy had picked up three other passengers after dropping me off and offered to head to their homes to ask about the phone.
Atkin then waited patiently for me at the airport (I was looking around as if by some miracle the phone would appear in the terminal or in the parking lot) and the phone rang again.
Betsy had retrieved my phone from a passenger!
Without Atkin’s assistance and Betsy’s honesty, I would have lost not only my phone, but the many photos and contacts of friends and family stored within.
I would just like to recognize both Atkin and Betsy for their assistance and taking the time out of their day to help me recover my phone.
Their honesty and friendliness to a stranger is to be commended. More of us should be like them.
Nicole Hoagland
Visitor
