YOSI Magazine Issue 4

What’s inside issue 4

In this issue we are profiling the following young people who are chasing after their dreams:

6 Gloria Konare actor and performing artist

8 Zimalita Kukutu businesswoman, seamstress and event planner

20 Sebastian Mauriasi, musician and radio DJ

22 Norah Morisudah and Dexter Pita, aircraft engineers

Words from the Coordinator......................................4 What is Youth@Work..................................................5 My Land My Future..................................................10 Coming through the eye of the storm....................12 Once a pride, now not proud of it...........................14

13 Ben Esibaea, businessman and tiler

24 Junior Patterson, ICT Manager

Youth Voices................................................................16 Creative Corner..........................................................19 Youth Faith..................................................................25 Health Q&A................................................................26 YOSI Photoblog..........................................................27

is proudly brought to you by the Youth@Work programme: YOSI comes out four times a year.

Editorial team Emmanuel Oti- Editor, Writer and Designer Samantha Ryan- Editor, Writer and Designer Regina Lepping- Writer and Photographer Ruth Amos- Writer and Photographer Enquiries Youth@Work, Tandai, Honiara 25278 yosi@youth-at-work.org www.facebook.com/YOSIMagazine Cover photo: Gloria Konare performing in the production Marama in New Zealand. Photograph by Robert Cross, Victoria University of Wellington.

Contributors Thank you to everyone who contributed to YOSI 4: Bmobile Vodafone, Rotary Club, Pasifiki, Allied Security, SINPF, Gloria Konare, The Conch Theatre Company, Thierry Pannetier, Bailey Tuiomanufili, Nina Nawalowalo, Zimalita Kukutu, Deanne Enoch, Lily Chekana, David Seresere, Joel Sino, Theonila Rokamatbob, Kristina Sogavare, George Aiala, Ben Esibaea, John and Ruby Penai, Laine Liang Firsua, Stanley Ramosui, Freling Tovosia, Gino Oti, Georgianna Lepping, Steve Taho, Nelyn M., Willie Wilikai, Abel Wanesuia, Timothy Jnr. Inifiri, Eunice Sanau, Sussie Blance Rinah, Heepah Tarahaka, Sebastian Perez Mauriasi, Zahiyd Namo, Dexter Pita, Norah Morisudah, Junior Patterson Olibuma, Emmanuel Oriana Zarine, Petra Nedia Titili, Isabel Ross, photoblog contributors.

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 3

Message from the Coordinator Achieving dreams, working hard for success

At Youth@Work, encouraging Welcome to YOSI Issue 4! In this young people to work hard to issue we have said goodbye to achieve their dreams, and setting some of our old YOSI team- such as Gino Oti, Regina Lepping and them up for success, is core to what we do. In the wider Youth@ Ashleigh Bond, and welcomed new team members such as new Editor Work program we have been busy and Designer Emmanuel Oti and pre-employment trainings for 300 youth in phase 9, placing almost a new AVID volunteer Samantha Ryan. This issue of YOSI also has a 100 youth from phase 8 in various different look and feel to the others, businesses and organisations in Honiara, working with budding as people have come with new ideas and creativity as well. youth entrepreneurs to finalise their business ideas and planning for the The theme for this issue is first Youth Market for 2016! We are “Achieving dreams, working hard for also pleased to let you all know that success”. We have been excited to our office in Malaita is now open have so many great contributions and ground work is being carried this issue from young people in the out to get the program underway form of columns, feature stories, in Auki. Our team in Choiseul are poems and photography. We have doing fabulously well too – carrying also profiled many inspirational out trainings, community service young people who are working and starting small business in South hard to chase their dreams- from Choiseul. entrepreneurs running their own business to actors, aviation We are also excited to announce engineers, tilers, IT professionals, that word about Youth@Work has musicians, radio DJs, activists been spreading across the region and students. We hope you find and that Youth@Work is starting something in their stories to help in Niue this month, with plans to you on the path to creating your spread to Vanuatu and PNG. own dreams and finding your own Thanks for all your passion, success, whatever that looks like. commitment and inspiration that

helps to make YOSI, Youth@Work and all our programs happen. This magazine is about you, so feel free to write in to us, send us or bring us an article, poem, photograph or piece of art or just tell us what you like and don’t like about the magazine.

Feel free to contact us on 25278 / 29257 or email: info@youth-at-work.org or interact with us on our Facebook pages; Youth at Work, YOSI, Youth of Solomon Islands & follow us on Twitter.

Tagio tumas.

Rose Martin. Y@W Coordinator

View from the Provinces At Choiseul, currently of the 50 youth who have attended the YEP program for this year 30 of them are from a new community they are working with, Wagina as for the Auki Malaita, a new branch office has already being set up and they are getting out word of what the program is expected to run after its being launched.

4 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

rt can affect social change Gloria Konare, is a 29-year-old woman from Malaita Province. She is a theatre actor who has worked for the Stages of Change Theatre Company in Solomon Islands and The Conch Theatre Company based in New Zealand. Gloria is among three Solomon Islander women who starred in the recent awesome New Zealand production called Marama which premiered during the Auckland Festival in March this year. Regina Lepping interviewed the young actor prior to the Marama production.

How did you come to be interested in acting?

My interest developed when I joined the Stages of Change Theatre Company in March 2013 – 2015.

Before joining Stages of Change and The Conch, I had no background in theatre or performing arts. Over the course of two years working with The Conch, I have gained so much and want to continue to explore the beauty of the visual.

There are two other ladies in Marama, Susan Galutia who is part Makira and Choiseul and is representing Makira and Grace Tiba who is from Western Province and is representing Kiribati.

What is Marama all about?

Marama is a visually stunning, wordless theatre, it’s gorgeous!

It is a powerful call from women of the Pacific – the voices of a vanishing world. The devastating effects of deforestation and culture are brought startlingly to life through traditional chants, dance movements and rituals gracefully performed. As their story unfolds and as the women emerge from and disappear into their ever changing environment, it reminds us of the ancient connection between a woman’s body and the earth, and the strength and fragility of the ground upon which we all dwell.

Who are some people on set who have inspired you?

I have worked with many beautiful people in Marama. It was first time in my life to work with top professionals and hitting the standards they required. For this, these people inspired and motivated me a lot to explore this whole journey. Nina Nawalowalo (The Conch theatre director) Tom McCrorry, Fabiana Piccioli is indescribably beautiful, Gareth Farr – New Zealand’s renowned music composer, Nicole Cosgave and Seraphine the costume designers, Sarah Foster the choreographer and the whole Conch team, seen and unseen. They all inspired me.

“The best thing in performing arts, specifically visual theatre, is that it allows you to express yourself and your voice to be heard powerfully, and to be see through magical imagery.”

Photo by John McDermott photography for Auckland Arts Festival

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For some of us Solomon youth have no idea what it is like to stage a production, is it hard work?

Yes, to set up a production is a huge thing indeed because as actors you have to be mentally and physically fit. You must work on the chorus together listening carefully to the music, hitting the lights on the exact spots, all the choreography must be fluid. You need to be attentive, stay focussed on whatever notes the director directs you to do. For the production team, their roles are so huge because they have to make sure all technical stuff like timing, music, lighting, props are pre-set and that the stage craft designs are set on stage and ready to go! It’s like a great composition of all these things that make a production a success.

What is the best thing about performing?

The best thing in performing arts, specifically visual theatre, is that it allow you to express yourself and your voice to be heard powerfully, and to be seen through magical imagery. it is just very strong and I really love that.

Gloria Konare. -Photo by The Conch

What are your future plans after Marama?

Our future plans after Marama are to come back home and invest more in Stages of Change and

help out in schools, youth groups, communities, church groups, etc. We want to be making and creating small productions on issues affecting our culture, our people, our country through theatre. To me it’s a challenge because back home, we don’t have theatre schools and all that stuff but I believe this is a big thought for our country to look into this seriously. Because art is so beautiful and real that it can affect social change.

Any advice for young performers out there?

My advice is that when you go into this zone of performing arts you just have to believe in yourself, that you are unique and talented.

Performing arts is all about you.

-Regina Lepping

Gloria with her fellow performers during rehearsal. -Photo by The Conch

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 7

I guess I just love weddings

Zimalita Kukutu is now one of the most preferred seamstress for weddings and special occasions and runs her own company, RAZE Gowns & Events. She has been the official seamstress for three consecutive Miss Solomon Islands and her work was showcased during Fashion Week. Meet the women behind the magic with Ruth Amos.

Walking towards her I can see her armouring herself with her secret weapon, her simplicity.

“Basically theme and colour are the After graduating she worked as key elements we consider when a seamstress, making outfits for planning and arranging all occasions weddings and other events. “Even now I’m not as good as my mother’s and events, especially weddings.” sewing, but I can say I am close,” “At the same time it is fun to try out she said with a laugh. something new and different every time.”

I later discovered over a line of questions that the 27 year old from Western Province and Central Province did not want to contain all the light for herself, “It has become a instead wanting to let “If you have the zeal and passion in doing what you career for me as do best, anything is possible under the sun.” it be known that the it helps me meet popularity of the RAZE my basic needs, as well as helping Gowns business is not solely of From there, she decided to also get to make the dreams of the brides her own creation but is also due into wedding planning. She said, “I come true.” to good backup from her mother saw people getting married almost Freda Unusi, sister Anthea Vikine every year so and family all these years. Zimalita we see it as an takes the pride in explaining the opportunity of a acronyms of R.A.Z.E as the initials wedding planner for her siblings and herself; Ronald, as an addition to Anthea, Zimalita and Elliam. the business.”

It started out as a family business, as her mother was a seamstress.

Zimalita grew up helping her mother with sewing sequences on wedding dresses, which she enjoyed.

From then on Zimalita dreamed of becoming a wedding planner.

Graduating from high school she got a scholarship to study for a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality at university in Laucala, Fiji.

“It wasn’t solemnly what I wanted but it was the only course offered that was close to my dream,” she says.

8 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

When asked how she became the most preferred planner for any event or occasion in town at the moment, especially weddings, she replied with a smile saying; “I guess I just love weddings. Most importantly my passion is the driving force to do my best.”

Zima doing flower arrangements for an event. -Photographer Ruth Amos

“Wow, barava naes and an abundant flow of thankyous from our customers were impressions we receive indicating a job well done.”

RAZE have been faced with a lot of challenges especially when they have to do both the arrangements and sewing of the bridal party’s outfits.

“Outsourcing jobs to the team and creating partnership with emerging businesses with the same interests was a solution that have I found effective,” she said.

“Entrepreneurs like Ekul designs some of the fabric that we sew for the bridal party and Latu Hire makes some of the things like cake stands, flower stands and headpieces for the brides and their bridesmaids.”

One of the memorable occasions out of the 300+ events that the RAZE Gowns and Events have planned was Zimalita’s own wedding.

Smiling and looking a bit distant, as if recalling the event, she describes her wedding dress as combining modern style with her tradition.

She said, “I had done the sewing and arrangements for much bigger weddings, but mine was the one that I could look back on and be proud of.”

Zima with her client Miss Solomon Islands 2015 Deanne Enoch. -Photographer Management and office Ruth Amos. administration is taken care of by her sister Anthea, as it To entrepreneurs also dreaming to you do best, anything is possible corresponds with her education and start their own business she says, under the sun. Just don’t give up, achievements in corporate systems “All dreams come true. If you have cultivate it so that it can grow.” management. the zeal and passion in doing what -Ruth Amos

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 9

My Land, My Future In March young leaders and activists were brought from across Melanesia to Buala, Isabel to talk about land rights and sustainable development. Ruth Amos and Samantha Ryan spoke to young delegates from Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance (MILDA) who attended “My Land, My Future” Conference which happened from 7th- 14th March 2016. During the conference delegates expressed their desires and concerns about land and development in Melanesia in the Buala Declaration which was later presented to the Prime Minister and Chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Manasseh Sogavare.

When we asked ni-Vanuatu land rights activist and delegate David Seresere what message he wanted to give to the youth of Solomon Islands he passionately said, “you have everything, what are you looking for?”

He began telling us the parable of the turtle (read below).

When David finished the story he said, “I’m not telling them anything new. I’m just telling them what their old people would tell them. You have everything you need. Don’t look too far.”

David is a traditional land owner from Efate, Vanuatu, one of many islands in Melanesia most affected by land grabbing and land rights issues.

“Land is the basis of everything here in Solomon Islands. And culture”.

David says, “In my community 85% of my community’s land is lost. It’s gone.

They’ve sold off these lands. Just because some stupid person wants to get rich overnight or with the

excuse of sending their kids to school for higher education. They will register their land and they find someone to buy. So when someone buys this land they have this money but then they spend this money overnight. So the kid comes back from school and there’s nowhere for him to work. If he doesn’t find a paid job, he ends up on the street or ends up smoking weed or ends up breaking into someone’s house.

That’s what’s happening to us right now in our communities. It’s like a disease.”

The parable of the turtle

This is a story about a boy who came out from the clan of a turtle and when he was still a kid his grandma told him never eat this turtle because it’s your ancestor. One day one of his best friends came and started eating a turtle in front of him. His friend said, “Oh you’ve never tasted it? This is turtle meat. It’s the best meat in the world”. And the boy said, “oh no my granny said that I am not eating that because it is my grandfather.” And the boy says, “That’s an old timer. You should try meat of the turtle.” He said, “I will go catch one for myself and try it later.”

The next morning he rose up and got his spear and went down to the beach. He went down to the edge of the reef and he looked for the turtle. His grandma saw him when she was passing the beach. She thought, oh he’s fishing. She went to the garden, got some food. Late in the afternoon, around 5 or 6 o’clock she came back. He was still standing there, looking for this turtle.

So the grandmother came down and said, “Son tell me what are you looking for? The sun has burnt you.

What’s going on?” And he was burnt and angry, he snapped at his grandma, “I am looking for the turtle, I want to kill this turtle and I want to taste it.” He was expecting his grandma to explode back at him. His grandma looked into his eyes. “What were you looking for again?” “I’m looking for a turtle”. She said, “Look down at the rock you are standing on. You are standing on a big female turtle. You’ve been standing on its back the whole time and you have been looking for the turtle.”

10 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

David’s work at the Vanuatu Lands Desk includes going out to the islands to educate people about their rights as land owners. David says, “We’re trying to educate people so they know the real value of their land and they can make better decisions about how they want to use their land. Because we’ve got one of the fastest growing populations in Melanesia.”

studies, English, mathematics and Christian education. We have over 180 students.”

We talk about the situation in terms of land in Solomon Islands and she says, “Land is the basis of everything here in Solomon Islands.

And culture.”

“We teach the children to understand the genealogy, based on the clans that I come from and how “I can only speak for where I they believe in their myths, they come from. I come from Western have stories, how do they believe Province…It is a matrilineal system that the land was given to them, in which land and rights are given how do they see that. Land is just through the matrilineal lineage. part and parcel of them because Unfortunately that is not taken “If we don’t do this job I don’t know after all our life as Melanesians into consideration when decisions where these children will plant their depends entirely on the land.” on land are made. Most decisions gardens, or where these children where I come from are made by the will survive. I don’t know if they will “We believe that if we as youths patriarch of the family.” feel the same happiness that I used go directly to our peers or those to feel when the land was still free who are older than us we cannot She adds, “We make culture an and it belonged to all of us. Now we convince them because they excuse when it suits us, but when can say this land belongs to already have an ideology. If they it doesn’t, we don’t take it into someone. In the past when you believe that the way to sustain consideration. That’s what I find in come to our village, take whatever their life is through money, it’s Western Province.” you want it’s ours, it belongs to our done. We cannot convince them. community. You want a house, we’ll The only way that we can change She says, “The problem that we build you a house, you need to bury the mindset of the people in have in the Solomon Islands someone, we will help you bury protecting the land and valuing the nowadays is that we tend to forget someone. Today you are left alone, land as something more equal to that the ownership of land is not burying your father. Or you are just money in the Western society given to an individual person. It’s left alone to build your own house. is to temper the soldiers of the given through a tribe…People try to Because all the land is gone. Maybe future generation. Kids that are still take over land and make decisions people don’t want the free life, they innocent and that are still building a on land as an individual.” want the money life. That’s what worldview which will affect them in we are up against.” how they impact their community Kristina becomes passionate when in the future.” she talks about the future saying, “I David is one of want to see land the activists and rights being given “If we don’t do this job I don’t know where these community leaders back to the tribal children will plant their gardens, or where these who have been land owners, for children will survive. I don’t know if they will feel the development to brought to Solomon Islands for the youth same happiness that I used to feel when the land was properly take place conference. Organiser in the Solomon still free and it belonged to all of us”. and founder of the Islands. I would like MILDA Joel Sino to see youths take explains that they organised this When we ask Theonila what ownership of issues relating to land. conference because “it is the youth message she wants to share with Youth now have been going away, that must push (land issues) along… the youth of Solomon Islands she probably because of many aspects We want the message to be passed says, “Reconsider or redefine what of life. But they tend to forget, as I on. What will be the consequences development really is. Because mentioned earlier, if you take away of landlessness?” if we embrace almost everything, the land from that person, that we end up contradicting our person is empty.” “ We meet another delegate, Melanesian beliefs.”

Theolina Rokamatbob, from “I would like to see youth take Bougainville in PNG. She is a Representing Solomon Islands ownership of land issues, start researcher and teacher. is Kristina Sogavare, who works talking about land issues, start in the Solomon Islands National understanding culture and where She says, “I believe in addressing Parliament through the Young they come from. To go back to the land issues through education. We Women’s Parliamentary Group land. To depend on the land for designed a school, my sisters and I… which “provides an empowering survival.” which looks at four subjects only in voice for young women.” the school; community environment -Samantha Ryan April 2016 Yosi issue 4 11

“We were relocated to the FOPA village known at the time as an Evacuation centre, a temporary place for us to stay until things got back to normal.”

“There were a lot of us that were homeless so the place was cramped with people. It was really uncomfortable, especially when it was time to rest at night and children who were sick or hungry were crying. I felt sick most of the time.”

“Hygiene was one of the things that was poorly considered, everyone were fighting for survival over the little resources that were available.”

Coming through the eye of the storm -Ruth Amos

It is now nearly a year since the flash flood in April 2014 left thousands homeless with a great loss of loved ones. Most of who those who were affected reside on the Mataniko River banks, some even now are still recovering from the trauma of that tragic episode. Meet an optimistic young fella, George Aiala, sharing his experience in choosing to strive on and move forward.

“The toilets were a sight that even now it’s a sick memory I refuse to even describe.”

“Then I was asked to go and stay with an uncle of mine with whom I’ve been staying with up until now.

Life has improved for me but it hasn’t been the same.”

Despite all of this, one thing that has kept him going was encouragement from a friend.

“He said there’s a blessing up ahead for me, and all I have to do is to keep going until l reach it.”

“Now I’m taking on board any opportunities I can find just so I can build myself up again.”

“I’ve come across the SPC program, and since it’s a free program mainly for youth, I think it is a chance for me to make a new start.”

When George first came straight and everything he had worked for from the provinces to continue his collapsed. studies, he found it hard to adjust “I want to find a job and then raise initially. “I had been living with my “I lost everything, including my some money to buy myself a house concentration in studies.

I was in uncle at Koa Hill”, he explained, “my so that it could help me sustain form five at that time and due to parents were living in the provinces myself during the rainy days”. the incident I had little time to cram and as a shy person I didn’t have and get ready for exams.

At times I the courage to ask for things that thought I was going to lose my mind “What I could say to youth out there would satisfy my personal needs.” who may be in a similar situation, too.”

He found it hard to communicate is to stand up tall and try and find some of his concerns. a way out, if there’s a “Now I’m taking on board any opportunities chance for a way out, Then he found an opportunity to help pay for I can find just so I can build myself up again.” then try and make efforts to get up and go hold on his essentials. to it.”

“Sometimes I didn’t go to school.

“I found a job as a store keeper Other times I didn’t stay at school “We are young and we still have the and was able to help buy my the whole day because I couldn’t strength to carry out tasks that will stationaries when I ran out, and was focus in class. My mind easily benefit us in the future. It’s time we also able to send some money to wandered off and so I don’t find it take on this responsibility and pave my parents. I felt good about it.” useful to stay in class.” our way to success.”

Sadly the flash flood took its toil -Ruth Amos 12 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

Tiling my way up

Ben Esibaea is a willing and determined young man, whose hearing impairment does not stop him from achieving his goals. With a humble smile and a strong handshake, you can tell that this young man works well with his hands and that he has a story to share.

When asked who is behind his “They love me and treat me as equal Ben lost his ability to speak after success, Ben gave me a big smile and I love them so much. I thank a short illness. At the age of two, and made the words with his hands. God that, even though I do not fit in he went to Special Development with everyone, I have fit within my Centre, a Red Cross school for “My family and a lot of patience.” family since the day I was born.” young kids with special needs. He later continued on to a vocational “When I was little, sometimes, my Ben is a fine example of patience school for people with disabilities in siblings wouldn’t understand me and hard work. He says that not Makira in 2006. but my parents never treated me being able to hear does not limit any different. I know, I can see it on him in what he wants to do but only At fourteen, the young lad moved their face, that it’s not easy raising challenges him to find a way. to San Isidro Special School where a deaf child but they are always he graduated in 2010. patient with me and I learn to be “My world is quiet, and in this patient too,” he said. quietness I can feel at peace and Ben says his love for learning keeps learn to be patient.” him away from boredom.

“I love making things, I like gardening, doing agricultural work and woodwork,” he said through an interpreter.

“When I have free time, I educate myself with anything.”

“I like to observe people when they are working and learn what I can from them,” he explains.

“Of course, sometimes I play sport with my friends but most of my free time, I want to apply what I have learnt.”

“It was a fulfilling experience to be qualified to do something and to get real employment despite my disability.”

Ben lives with his parents and has two brothers, Peter and David, and a sister Veronica. Ben gives time to praise them for being a very supportive and loving family that is always there by his side.

The 23 year old works as a tiling expert in Honiara where he supports his family and is an active member of the Solomon Islands Deaf Association (SIDA).

“My aim is to give back to my parents who have given me a lot, and to help other young people like me to achieve their dreams too,” he stresses.

-Regina Lepping

The young man’s curiosity to learn more led him to the Australian Pacific Technical Centre (APTC) in Suva, Fiji where he was trained in floor and wall tiling. Ben graduated from APTC in October 2015 and found employment in Honiara.

“I had my first real job doing the tiling for the ANZ building. It was a fulfilling experience to be qualified to do something and to get real employment despite my disability.”

“Now I can support myself and I don’t need to depend on my parents. However, that doesn’t mean I can stop learning. I am still young and I want to upgrade my skills in the future or even on the job.”

Ben Esibaea now works as a tiler in Honiara. -Photographed by Regina Lepping April 2016 Yosi issue 4 13

Once a pride,

now not proud of it story of a former Kimoba street kid

For many of us, life does not offer a straight path to success, from school to university and then into the workforce. Some of us only find our path through first losing our way.

YOSI Magazine talks to John Penai, one of the founding members of the Kimoba gang in White River about his journey, lessons he has learnt along the way and how he found his own path to tread.

If you grew up in town there’s a better life, and like most youth they Penai revealed to YOSI magazine possibility that you’ve heard stories didn’t have the chance or drop out when referring to our leaders. or have some experience of how of important institutions that would Penai said that back then “Getting dangerous the “West Side” can have equiped them with proper high on weed was a 24/7 thing, and be, similar to other communities education and qualifications to when we saw there was a market that dot the outskirts of Honiara. make their dreams come true. for this illegal drug we ventured Especially on weekends when youth into selling our are often high “We were literally street kids and to survive on the streets products to the and intoxicated class, rich with the was not easy. It is a place where hopes and dreams are just working kids, expats and locally distilled a figment of the imagination.

Life is so cruel. ” big-men with a lot homebrew. of money.”

Meet John Penai, a proud father “We were master lius, so to “While some of us caused public of 2 year old Ruby and member of maintain our dirty habits we nuisance in our neighbourhood Karaina Settlement also known as burgled or hustled by selling drugs others would work on closing deals.

Fence, in the White River district. on the streets”, uttered the young When we had enough cash, my man from Reef Islands. On some Most of his youth Penai, along with homies and I would spend it on occasions vehicle owner’s that his peers, had nothing to do. So more weed, booze and women.” passed through our turf would give to kill time and escape their harsh us money as good will gestures to “Most times we ended up having reality they started using drugs, show they don’t want any trouble. arguments and in turn caused particularly marijuana. havoc in the community. It was like It has been put forward by many “I used to carry a bong around and a never ending cycle that gradually analysts that events in our nation’s when we congregated at any of the pulled us away from reality, our history, like the lawlessness in the popular spots in our neighbourhood aftermath of the ethnic tension and dreams and moral virtues”, Penai we would smoke and sip liquor. regretfully told us.

2006 April riots, had fuelled youth We felt like the world was at our rebellion.

Elders and good people in Penai’s fingertips”, Penai recalls. district, instead of reaching out to “We don’t choose to be this Like everybody else, these youth the lost youth to help them, they way. We are the product of the had big dreams, were attracted to marginalised them and literally environment you’ve placed us in”, the urban centres in search of a driving the youth to the streets.

14 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

Things like love, care and trust were missing. People stopped believing in them and labelled them Kumoba, which means orphans in the Reef Islands’ dialect.

“We respected what they called us but instead of taking it as a bad thing we embraced it. Hence, the Kimoba culture, or KMB for short, was born. We were literally street kids and to survive on the streets was not easy. It is a place where hopes and dreams are just a figment of the imagination. Life is so cruel.”

He explained that their influence and notoriety grew to the point

where Kimoba has become an identity many street kids adopted and can relate to.

Now, having abstained from drugs for more than a year, Penai has a message for every youth.

“Even “If you’re studying now, take pride in it, “If you’re young it’s a privilege that comes only once.” studying people now, take associated with us tattooed KMB on pride in it, it’s a privilege that their bodies and branded their cars comes only once. If you’re trying to show their allegiance.” out drugs and liquor, stop now! The adrenaline rush is not worth it. They “However, looking back I am will only cloud your judgement and ashamed of the bad things I did. cause you to do things you’ll regret I could have saved up the money later in life.”

I earned and built a better life for me and my young family but the Penai sternly puts across, “I am situation I was in didn’t allow it, as an original Kimoba and have been excessive drug abuse and alcohol since day one, so trust me when clouded my conscience.” Penai said. I say it is not worth it. Drugs and alcohol will only make you forget your problems temporarily and solve nothing.”

When asked about his future plans, he replied, “I’ll take every day as it comes, work hard to support my little girl making sure she doesn’t go through the same life, at the same time try to find other avenues for my generation to choose from, not involving criminal activities.”

Over the years Penai is proud to have helped raise a young man in his community who is now a gentleman, who excelled in his senior education and now runs a tattoo business.

John Penai and his little princess Ruby at their home in White River.

-Photo by Temple Green

“I told him to live from my example and others before him, work hard for success and use his God given talent to its full potential because no one else will do it for you. You have to earn it.”

-Temple Green

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 15

Youth Voices- Column

The real meaning of success In every second and minute today, we youths around the world are looking for opportunities to achieve our dreams. Some youths work hard for success and some achieve their goals by using every opportunity.

I believe that these days, youths are having so much fun that they have forgotten the real essence of life. They skip work to attend other parties or programs. For some youths they have already gave up on their dreams due to a hiccup in high school or personal issues.

I know all these things can really affect individuals in their work effort or the willingness to chase their dreams because I’ve been through that.

Now, don’t let those things pull us down. In this world today, time is everything and every second or minute we miss out on to chase our dream is a decrease in the chance of achieving our dream. So we must always use time wisely. We all know there was a one point in our lives when teachers and parents encouraged us to use a timetable but we didn’t care at all. Well in case some of us don’t known yet because they are still dreaming and not chasing their dream, a timetable is the one of the most important tools in achieving your dreams.

“Chasing your dream”, this is one of the main phrases used in every part of the entertainment sector.

You can always see one actor telling another to go chase their dream. The problem which the entertainment industry has caused is very bad. They encourage as young people to dream big and that is a great thing. The problem is that they did not mention that to achieve our individual dreams, we have to work really hard. Most of us are lazy and just laying around dreaming of fancy homes, cars and more, like someday it will eventually 16 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

happen. We think there will be no work, but he lived at Baranamba work, but what we should know is and the office was at Point Cruz. He that every day, opportunities are had no support because his parents everywhere. It’s just waiting there were back at the province, but for us to see it and grab it. The work though he had no support he had I mean is not like the work at school. determination. From Baranamba This is pure hard work, with heart, every early in the morning he would to reach success. This means we walk down to the office, not giving always need to be two steps ahead up. Every time he beat his boss to of everyone else or what we are the office, when his boss only lived told to do. a couple of minutes away. After a few months his boss advised him to “Real success is doing fillout an application form to study something you love because in Britain. He got accepted and it’s your dream and it’s not went to study in England. Today he of the most respected people about the salary. When you isin one Solomon Islands.

achieve real success, you will enjoy what you are doing and won’t think about the salary at all.”

We should also know the results that we are working for. Let us look into the word success which everyone today is chasing. Success as I picture what the majority of us think is money, having a great wife/husband and living in luxury. I believe that success is not all that.

Real success is doing something you love because it’s your dream and it’s not about the salary. When you achieve real success, you will enjoy what you are doing and won’t think about the salary at all. That is why I encourage you to continue to work hard though you have failed, work twice as hard as you did last year.

Grab opportunities and chase your dreams right this second!

Let us now reflect on the young days of my icon This young boy from North Malaita grew up in a humble family. He went to school back in the province until grade 6 then he passed to King George Sixth National Secondary to do his first year in high school. He did his secondary from form 1 to form 6, but he did not get any scholarship, he dropped out. He did not give up on his dreams. He then applied to work under the management of a British man. He was accepted to

I would propose to every single one of us, who are the leaders of the future, that there are always different paths to get to the same place. If one path is closed, don’t stand around and hope for God to save you. Work harder and grab a new path and make it happen.

Because even God himself said “I will only help those who help themselves”. So get up and start this second with determination to chase your dream, because no one will do it for you. It is within yourself to achieve your dream and work for success.

Laine Liang Firisua, 19, is from Malaita. He is studying at King George Sixth National Secondary doing form 7. He is interested in writing and believes that writing is one of the things that make us who we are today and who we will be in the future.

Youth Voices- Column

Dream big, think big Success may be viewed from different perspectives. For instance, a university graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in any program of study may consider himself to be successful.

However that is only one step of achievement. The next step is to find a job or be selfemployed. Therefore, being graduated with a Bachelor’s degree without getting a job is to me a fake success and to be uneducated but being able to be self-employed is to me a taste of success.

On the other hand, if someone finds a job, he might consider him to be successful for sure. However it depends on whether or not the salary can be able to cater for the basic needs and wants for survival in today’s expensive life. We need money for food, clothes, water and electricity bills, school fees and the list goes on. I have observed that, especially in town most employees are living a debit life at the expense of their salary. The emergence of the sky rocketing inflation has put a strain on their stagnant salary therefore, most employees cannot meet their needs and wants even for the next few days. That is why they are always lured to either get things on credit from a shop or to get funds from a lending scheme to be payable with interest. That is how they survive till the next payday.

This is a snare and a lot of employees have been trapped in it and they either never know how to get out of it or are enjoying it just for the sake of surviving. As early as eight o’clock in the morning, people put their suit and get to their work place. They are there for the entire day till they clock out at around half past four in the afternoon and that becomes the everyday routine of many employees while waiting for the next pay day. If that is the kind

of life we are living today, then my question is are we satisfied with it? How successful are we? How do we measure our success? If that is not satisfactory, can we find other options where we are able to earn more than enough?

I am a law student and so I am aspired to be a lawyer in the future.

Studying law is very interesting because it makes me understand the laws of our country and our entire legal system. However, law as a discipline is very tough. Several times I have failed certain law courses and so I have to repeat them again. That does not bother me or make me give up because I dream of being a lawyer someday, no matter how long it takes.

How successful are we? How do we measure our success?

If that is not satisfactory, can we find other options where we are able to earn more than enough?

I believe I could only consider myself to be successful if I could able to satisfactorily meet my everyday basic needs and wants, avoid getting credit, save some money and be able to live and survive above the poverty line regardless of whether I could be employed, self-employed or not.

Stanley Ramosui, 25, is from Malaita. He is a law student at USP SI Campus.

I am inspired to dream big and think big so that drives me to have a dream to acquire more knowledge.

Therefore, I also wish to pursue a degree in business administration and management after graduating as a lawyer. I do not want to seek employment because I want to be my own boss. My life’s dream is to be an entrepreneur. I dream of running my own business and I dream of being an employer not an employee. If God grants me success that is what I want to achieve.

I know that there are obstacles and or influences that could disturb me from achieving my dreams. I know that I have a lot of friends which could sway me from achieving my dream. Therefore I need to discipline myself by being with the right people and I need to have the right attitude.

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 17

Youth Voices- Feature writing

Sailing towards success A ship without a sail is drifting and a ship without water is a wreck. The only thing that matters at the end of the tunnel which is growing up is to know the difference between ‘succeeding’ and ‘success’.

school, this was not the case with Marissa.

“We went to school to learn how to read and write and understand English all for this, so that we may get a job to earn an income.” It was this thought that led her to several part-time jobs straight after This is the case of a youth who completing high school. She worked spent her teenage years dazed and at Quality Inn, Hasting Deering, and confused about her future career Origin Gas Energy with the shortest but her enthusiasm to work brought job that lasted only a week before her somewhere unexpected. Let me finally settling at the Ministry take you through her story and the of Fisheries. “I always thought first line of this article will be clearer. I wanted to be a police officer, because of my father, but it wasn’t Marissa Maisa is a twenty-seven for me”. year old single lady with a bubbly character. Her youthful appearance and attitude make her more “Age is not a limit to comfortable amongst young people, education. Achieve whatever preferably teenagers. She loved you want to achieve, go for it listening to stories about their while you’re still alive,” dreams and hopes for the future.

Marissa works at the Ministry of Fisheries. She started off as a receptionist and typist four years ago. At present she is a Registry Clerk, a position she holds so dearly that she is willing to stretch her working hours to complete any given task. Though time is scarce she still manages to squeeze a few units into her busy schedule as she continues her part-time Diploma studies at Solomon Islands National University (SINU). One might wonder why she didn’t try to complete her studies in the first place instead of jumping into the workforce.

While working part-time jobs she managed to complete an APTC Hospitality Course in Australia. The thrill of going overseas made it even more fun when she settled in with the Ministry, already traveling to trainings and conference abroad.

She is a risk-taker and willing to learn new things. “At first I did not fit into the formal working environment but I learnt to adapt,” she says. “I don’t want to work anywhere else. The Ministry helped me with my studies and rent, so I’m staying. Keep achieving and keep getting promoted,” Marissa concluded with a sly laugh.

Being the first in the family of Now she has set the course four and the only girl, Marissa felt for a new direction. She wants like she was responsible for her to graduate with a Masters in siblings and felt inclined to also be Marine Affairs and Management a bread-winner. While both of her in the future.

Though that means parents worked she managed to be completing her present studies a caretaker for her younger sibling and a degree before embarking whilst juggling a part-time job in her on a postgraduate degree, there is early twenties. “I just want to earn my own money. I don’t want to rely nothing to hinder her plan. on my parents,” she says. While “Age is not a limit to education. some youths might take this for Achieve whatever you want to granted and enjoy a gap year of fun achieve, go for it while you’re and leisure after completing high still alive,” Marissa said. She also 18 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

encouraged youths to make the best of what’s in their power and take the rest as it comes.

Writing this article made me realise that sometimes if we set our course too early we may be wrecked too quickly. To succeed one must keep moving forward and life will eventually find its favor in you. Marissa is just one of the many confused sailors we have in our country, setting the course for the horizon and beyond.

Georgianna Lepping, 25, is a presenter at Paoa FM who also loves performing and writing.

Creative Corner- Poems

Poems

FATHER OF THE NATION Father of the nation Has knowledge Has wisdom Has vision SMARTER, BETTER, WISER

The father of the nation

I dreamt of being a doctor IT’S NOW OR NEVER

And I know I had to be smarter

Build the nation

Dream bigger, aim higher

Because it makes everyone better

Achieve your goals, stay motivated

And help the nation to be healthier

With challenges, commitment and determination

Keep fighting, make friends

I always wanted to be a teacher

Be blessed, live in peace

But I know I had to be wiser

Be the best, set free your potential

Teaching the leaders of the future

Because remember, it’s now or never.

So that our country can be brighter

By Willie Wilikai

I really liked to be a lawyer So I must be cleaner

ACHIEVING DREAMS, WORKING HARD FOR SUCCESS

Making everything fair giving justice to those with bad behaviours

Our dreams are never ending, they are not few

So I must work harder to achieve my dreams in the future

So stop wasting your time anymore, there is too much to do

And be a wonderful and great leader.

Don’t sit behind with folded hands anymore Brand new opportunities are knocking at your door, get up walk outside and start moving towards your goals.

Don’t be scared even if your pocket is filled with holes.

Even if your dreams are never ending, and ideas are few, you have the capability to make them come through, work hard, work smart and you will succeed.

Don’t follow the rest of the world, take lead!

But unlike others, no matter what happens tomorrow, always smile and smile like you mean it.

By Timothy Jr. Inifiri

SHINE Life is something we all share, Just like oxygen in the air The way we live is up to us With a negative or a plus Life is something we should cherish We’ll never know when we’ll perish Live each and every single day

With humanity and dignity With honesty and integrity Father of the Nation Build the Nation With loyalty and quality With unity and harmony With peace and prosperity Truly you are a man of the Nation The father of the Nation

By Sussie Blance Rinah LIFE Life is the sum of experiences that we encounter as we go through Day to day struggles and triumphs Is experienced by all of the world’s creatures As human beings, when we encounter a challenge We have the freedom to choose how to react

Smell the flower, stop and play

Every decision that we make may lead us

Life is something we’ve been blessed

down a different road.

Every decision that we make has significance

All my best wishes, I send to you my dear friends, I hope you will get successful till the end.

Follow your passsions and you’ll be fine

The tiniest choice that we make reverberates

So live every moment like you mean it.

With the right attitude, you will shine.

throughout the entire universe

By Abel Wanesuia

Choice is yours, choose the quest

By Eunice Sanau

By Heepah Taraihaka April 2016 Yosi issue 4 19

Youth Voices- Feature writing

My journey...so far Working with and making music has always been his dream, but it wasn’t always a dream journey. DJ Sleezy, or Sebastian Perez Mauriasi, has been tested at every step.

He shares with Gino Oti his journey.

On the day of the interview he is sitting in a small green painted room with his headphones on, blaring into the microphone, enjoying every moment of his afternoon shift.

to perform at the 12th Pacific Arts Festival hosted in Solomon Islands.

After the performance they were asked to put on more shows at satellite venues around Honiara during the event.

Competition and went on to perform at six more Youth Markets the following year.”

“When singing in front of a crowd, I know that of the hundreds of people out there, ten will be listening to me,” he said with a smile.

Sebastian, who is 23 years old with Temotu and Makira parentage, grew “It was a real eye opener for me.

From then on, I would attend live up with a passion for music. shows and community fundraisers “Meanwhile, during the high season with the aim to perform on stage.” of me being on stage, veteran In his youth he says, “At first I had musicians recognised me as their no plans and was fine being jobless. kind of person. That’s when I knew My daily routine year round was “It was my first time to I was truly heard, and had a chance doing drugs and alcohol with my friends”. perform in front of a crowd. to make real money for a living.”

He decide to own a little studio at home to learn how to make music.

He started out with a laptop and two small speakers. But he found himself with his friends most of the time, rather than working on the project.

“Often the times I managed to be in the studio proved futile, as there was no income to support the power expenses that I was creating.

Hearing the crowd’s applause I thought to myself, this is my time. I will give my best and show the whole Pacific what I can do.”

He decided it would be his way of freely expressing himself to an audience. However constantly trying to find a gig to perform at was a financial burden.

Alternatively I’d had friends come over with instruments, spending most of the day playing, singing and having a good time.”

In December he came across a Youth Market Song Competition flyer and was drawn to it.

An audition in 2012 gave Sebastian and his friends a rare opportunity

“I came third, participating in the inaugural Youth Market Song

At the end of the day it dawned on him it was not the band’s dream, but his own. So he decided to join the Youth@Work internship programme and did his community service as a volunteer at the monthly Youth Markets.

The year 2015 seemed promising to find his dream job. Unfortunately in the first two weeks of job preparation training, he was confronted with a new type of challenge. Yet he pressed on.

“I was diagnosed with liver problem and got admitted at the National Referral Hospital and was advised to rest.”

“Fearing the worst of being put on the quit list I stubbornly attended the trainings, bearing the pain.”

When he finally got a call saying he was accepted to work at SIBC, it was a relief, despite being bedridden for five months.

Ultimately, he decided to take a step further, in trying to prove his capability in achieving his dream. As patience couldn’t tame his cravings

- Ruth Amos 20 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

Sebastian Perez Mauriasi a.k.a. DJ Sleezy as a presenter at ZFM radio station.

for a chance to be behind the microphone, he took his chances and responded a to –job advert in the newspaper.

“From the first time I saw the opportunity, I felt like it was advertised for me.”

So Sebastian applied for the job immediately. Meanwhile, his cursed liver got him into the hospital again.

During the last two weeks at the hospital, he got a call from Z Fm saying he had been selected for an interview. He got the job two weeks later.

“On the sixth month, still on the medication, I went to work. After two months into the job, I was given a very stern review from my boss, to pull up my socks and be serious about it.”

“Being unhappy with myself for disappointing my boss, I reminded myself to work hard as I could not afford to be lazy.”

So for the following months DJ Sleezy made notes to prepare himself before going on air. The review he got from his boss this time was to keep up the good work and to build on it.

“As for future plans, I want to be the best, and to make my parents proud. Through my album I want to remind people that though life’s struggles are real, anyone can overcome them. Now I am confident to say that, when faced with challenges, I will find a way around it. Such is life.”

-Gino Oti

“It’s a sense of achievement, knowing that I’m on the right track, doing what I love,” he said.

In addition to being a full time radio announcer, Sebastian is also an MC for events and also occasionally does gigs at various bars and restaurants around town.

He is now working on his first EP album titled: ‘My Journey’, which is due to be released anytime this year.

Photo competition Winner!

Zahiyd Namo, 25, Malaita West A’re A’re

Zahiyd took this photo of a young man learning how to make traditional thatch. He likes to take photos of people, events and nature. Zahiyd currently works at the Ministry of Commerce.

-Ruth Amos

Fixing to fly There are some points in our young lives when we see a plane flying in the sky and we wondered what it would be like to fly it. However, this is not the case for Dexter Pita and Norah Morisudah. Both share a great interest in aircrafts, but not in flying… in fixing them.

Meet Dexter Pita and Norah Morisudah. These two motivated young adults are some of the few budding Aircraft Engineers in Solomon Islands working at the Solomon Airlines Domestic Airport hangar.

Dexter is a high spirited 28 year old young man from Choiseul Province.

His interest in the work came from his uncle who is an aircraft mechanic.

“I liked watching him work and I was motivated by him and my dad to do it. I spent nine years observing and assisting with the work here at the Solomon Airlines hangar, before I started my studies in Fiji.”

I decided to do Avionics. Basically, I have wanted to work with planes ever since I was little.”

“My interest came from my dad who was an automotive mechanic. I enjoyed helping my dad when he is fixing vehicles and grew up wanting to fix things too.”

She explains, “My engineering work looks after the electrical, instrumental and radio system (EIR) of the aircraft. Which is the electrical wiring that runs through all parts of the aircraft. It includes

something that she loves doing and performs her best at.

Both Dexter and Norah did their studies in Fiji under the Solomon Islands Government Scholarship, but such a dream has not always been easy for them.

“We had to sit many tests to get a licence, and the scholarship doesn’t cover the test fees. We had to pay them ourselves and they are not cheap.” Dexter said.

They shared their challenges in their respective areas.

“I spent nine years observing and assisting with the work here at the Solomon Airlines hangar, before I started my studies in Fiji.”

Dexter’s commitment to the work has taken him a step higher in his profession, as he is soon to be a licenced Aircraft Mechanical Engineer. It is a milestone in Dexter’s young life that he can’t wait to achieve.

the pilots’ instruments.”

Norah is the only female working in engineering at the hangar. It is

“Managing your time to work fast but safely to make sure that operations can continue, is a challenge for me. The machinery must meet safety standards” Dexter stated.Norah adds, “To me, my main challenge in working on my dream is in just being a female.

Unlike Dexter, Norah is new to the hangar, although she too has had a fascination with planes from an early age. She is a bubbly, talkative, energetic young woman from Malaita Province. She is a 29 year old engineering intern awaiting her graduation in November this year.

She says, “At first I wanted to be a pilot, but when I got to high school,

Dexter Pita doing what he does best: fixing aeroplanes at the Henderson hangars.

- Ruth Amos - Ruth Amos

22 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

When you want to join the course to do the studies it’s challenging enough. Unlike my male fellow students, I had to prove myself. It is a challenge being a female, when you try to take up a career people see as being only fitting for men.”

Dexter and Norah’s goals closer than their problems.

“I have wanted to work with planes ever since I was little.”

Despite the obstacles, their commitment and determination to their dream job has helped to push

“In the near future, I want to try my hands at fixing all kinds of aircrafts abroad. I see it is possible if you commit yourself to your work,” Deter said confidently.

“In the future, I want to be a licenced female Aircraft Engineer” Norah said with a smile.

The soon-to-be engineers concluded their interview with encouragement for the young.

“Many of us young people today think it’s hard to get a job like this, but it’s not. You have to start somewhere first and commit to your work. I use the word commit a lot because it got us this far. Don’t spend too much time on your social life, as that will drag you down quickly. Don’t be afraid to do what you love no matter what people think,” they both insisted.

It is clear that these two emerging engineers will not let anything hold back their dreams.

-Regina Lepping

- Ruth Amos

Norah Morisudah thoroughly checks the aircraft engine.

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 23

Patience and commitment to learn pays off for Junior For Junior Patterson Olibuma, the Youth@Work internship programme has led him to a path he did not think he would be on.

Junior is a young man whose parents are from Malaita and Choiseul province. After dropping out from high school, he went from being a bus conductor to a taxi baseman and a shop assistant while in search for a steady job. He thought he had no hope.

He says, “I didn’t have an aim at first, as I had dropped out at form 5. I didn’t see myself being successful in the future.”

About his current job he says, “In Junior reflected back with terms of performance I am okay, satisfaction on his young life, his but I don’t have the required decision to join the programme and qualifications so that was a shortfall where he is heading. for me, even though I have met “If I didn’t come to know the Youth@ all requirement standards of the Work internship programme, the workforce I’m employed under.” chances of getting a job would be 50% or in other words, just by luck.

I’m not sure if without “The job I’m in now is a bit new to the programme I would ever find me. I am in charge of solving every good work and be recognised for technical IT problem in the whole my skills.” program. I upgrade all the systems “Looking back I see that I have and see the manager if there accomplished a lot as I did not need to be some changes that will expect to come this far in just a year. improve the IT system to allow the I thank our good Lord for giving me program to achieve its daily goals.” this chance.”

Junior explained.

- Regina Lepping-

“If I didn’t come to know the Youth@Work internship programme, the chances of getting a job would be 50% or in other words, just by luck.”

He joined the Youth@ Work internship program in 2014.

He did his best to learn during the internship training programme and waited patiently for his turn to be placed.

He says, “It was during the waiting part that I almost gave up. At one time I applied to be an observer but it proved to be futile. Knowing that this chance only comes once, I maintained my patience.”

“When given opportunities for trainings or workshops I took the chance to address my shortfalls, bringing my current qualifications to a level recognised by the Government system or any organisation that would require my expertise. I attended all the in house trainings.”

After three weeks of waiting, Junior started his 20 week internship at the Solomon Islands Government’s ICT Support Unit (SIGICTSU).

Junior’s patience and commitment to his internship has paid off when he was selected, among other interns, to attend an ICT workshop in Fiji.

After successfully completing his internship, Junior was accepted to be the Team Leader for Youth@ Work Programme ICT.

-Samantha Ryan Junior is enjoying his time at Youth@Work.

24 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

Youth Faith

Singing to inspire They brought the Pacific to life with their vibrant, joyful voices! They were full of youthfulness, passion and big dreams. Solomon Voices is an open Choir which is not put together by islands or denomination, but is united by inspiration and their passion for singing. It has attracted more than 400 students from 10 schools all over Honiara.

Solomon Voices was put together

by Jerry Tengemoana. Solomon Voices is inspiring its audience in Honiara to respect culture and have love for our islands and its people through singing and the performing arts.

The group has worked with the Pasifika Voices, a sister choir group from Fiji, and world renowned Samoan composer Igelese Ete to start the inaugural High School Choral Festival in 2014. Recently, the group has done a production with Fiji’s Wansolwara, allowing the choir to do musical performances also.

The group will embark on their first trip overseas in September 2016. Selection is through audition and commitment. You can follow Solomon Voices on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ solomonvoices/.

Here is what the youth in Solomon Voices are saying about the group.

Name: Emmanuel Arania Zarine,

Favourite Movie: Flash.

Solomon Voices: Soloist and Choir Conductor.

Name: Petra Nedia Titili

Age: 18 years old.

Solomon Voices Choir: Soloist and Soprano

From: Nauru Island and Malaita.

Age: 22

School: Form 6 arts, Bishop Epalle Catholic School.

Province: Isabel

What do you like about Solomon Voices?

Solomon Voices helps us to develop our talent in singing and gives us confidence.

I think the most memorable performance with the Solomon Voices was the Wansolwara. It helped us to realise that we should care for the earth. The acting and the dancing was new to me but I gave it a try and it was awesome.

I would like to go on tour with the group around the Pacific region and some other parts of the world too and show our talent through singing and dancing.

School: SINU. Favourite song: Adele’s “When we were young.”

I joined Solomon Voices because I love music and singing.

The most exciting thing that I learnt from the group was that you don’t have to be a certain someone to be in Solomon Voices but just be yourself. That’s why now we’ve all become friends and it’s like having a second family… I hope we will do something with Pasifika Voices in future, because I am such a huge fan of theirs -Regina Lepping

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 25

Health blong mi

What is menstruation?

C’mon let’s get real for a second...

Menstruation, or what’s often called a “period” is when the lining of the uterus (womb) comes away and passes out of the body through the vagina. This lining contains blood and tissue used to feed a growing baby. If you are not pregnant, then your body doesn’t need it and releases it.

Each women’s period is different – periods can be light, moderate or heavy, and can last from 2 to 7 days.

Girls usually get their first period between the ages of 8 to 15.

Having a regular monthly period is a sign that important parts of your body are working normally. The monthly period provides important body chemicals, called hormones, to keep you healthy. It also prepares your body for pregnancy.

People sometimes have negative views about a monthly period, but the reality is that it is a symbol that a woman is healthy and has the power to create and sustain human life. That’s pretty amazing and something to be celebrated!

MYTHS Girls are: Unclean when they’re having their periods Menstrual blood is not dirty.

It is just like any other blood that you find in your body, and is necessary for human life to grow.

Should not handle food when they’re having their period Monthly period blood is very clean. However, some hours after the menstrual blood has left the body, it comes into contact with oxygen and can start to smell and attract bacteria. Every day, people get bacteria or viruses on their hands from different activities 26 Yosi issue 4 April 2016

– everybody should wash their hands with water and soap before preparing or eating food, whether or not they have their period!

Toilet paper is also a good absorbent Women can use any absorbent material - the important thing is that it’s clean. Toilet paper might be a good short-term solution if you have nothing else, but it will absorb very quickly and tear easily, making staining more likely.

It is better to have a spare disposable napkin, or cotton material ready, clean, and stored in a dry plastic bag in case you get stuck.

Calculating your monthly cycle can be a way to make sure you are ready and prepared, so that you don’t get caught without good options available. To work out when your period is due, you count the number of days from day one of your period up to, and including, the day before the next period starts.

Taking Panadol will ease the blood flow and will guarantee the least chance of staining Panadol can reduce some of the pain associated with monthly periods, however it has no effect on blood flow or staining. Just make sure you have enough good clean napkins to change regularly to reduce the chance of staining.

Girls are not allowed to swim at sea during their menstruation period, as it will stop the flow of blood.

Your period does not slow down or stop in water, however the release of the blood from the vagina can be reduced because of the counter pressure of the water.

This does not happen all the time, and does not affect your health or safety. Menstruation is normal and should not prevent women from enjoying normal activities – including swimming, sports, cooking and going to school.

For men: Monthly periods – that’s women’s business! Or is it? If women didn’t have their monthly periods, you would not be here today. All women in your life will have monthly periods at some point, including your mother, grandmother, wife, girlfriend, sisters and daughters. Just because as men, you don’t experience monthly periods, it doesn’t mean that you can’t care about it. You can support the women you love by learning about monthly periods, and helping to provide dignity and support to women and girls. Have a look at this video about one man in India who is going to great lengths to support women. Go Menstrual Man! www.menstrualman.com

Menstrual Cycle

YOSI Photoblog The Youth of Solomon Islands Facebook page is a photoblog and was initially inspired by the Humans of New York photoblog. The page features young Solomon Islanders talking about their lives and the challenges they face from day to day. It has a faithful following and is the primary inspiration behind the YOSI magazine name. Here are a few of our favourite entries:: “It has been seven years since I’ve attended school and now that I have the chance to continue my education, I am so happy. I have set my goals to do best in my studies and become a successful person in the future”.

“Relaxing without struggling will lead a young person seeking a better life nowhere. I believe having patience, being humble and staying close to our Lord will help us succeed in whatever goals we have.”

I know a lot of young people now have aims to complete high school and then apply for a scholarship and study overseas, but there’s more to it than just that. On the other hand, there are others who can’t make it through their studies and think there is nothing to go on for. I want to encourage them, its not the end of their future

“I work in this warehouse as an operations officer. My job is to make sure the fishing vessels get what they need for repair or maintenance on time. At first it was quite tough because I have to supervise some of the men here. They don’t take a young woman seriously as a supervisor but as time goes on, they get used to it and things go smoothly.”

To read the full stories and many more, visit Youth of Solomon Islands on Facebook and click Like!!

April 2016 Yosi issue 4 27

1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

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