YOSI Issue 02

EE 02

FR ue Iss THE HERO ISSUE FEATURING

* PACIFIC GAMES WINNERS * QUEEN’S YOUNG LEADER * ICON INTERVIEW* DARING DANCERS * SAVING TIPS * CAREER STORIES * MUSIC * fAITH * HEALTH * POETRY * SHORT STORIES * pHOTOGRAPHY

What’s Inside..Issue 02 Daring Dancers

Queen’s Young 19 Leader

11 - 13

Golden Glory

6 - 10 Icon Interview

18

21

Sport And Leadership Training

Special Feature: Savings...................................14 - 15

Travel......................................................................27

Custom Blo Mi..........................................................20

Health: Ask YOSI......................................................28

Careers............................................................22 - 23

Special Feature: Youth create social change.........29

Community Care..............................................24 - 25

YOSI Photo Blog.......................................................30

Iu Save Tu...............................................................26

Creative Corner.................................................31 - 35

YOSI is brought to you by: Youth@Work is implemented by SPC, in partnership with the Solomon Islands Ministry of National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation, the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.

Youth@Work is an initiative to tackle youth unemployment in the Solomon Islands and is funded by the Australian Aid bilateral program, with assistance from its partner ministries.

YOSI comes out four times per year.

Enquiries Youth@Work, Art Gallery, Honiara yosi@youth-at-work.org 25278 www.facebook.com/YOSIMagazine Editorial team Ashleigh Bond – Editor/Writer | Gino Oti – Designer Ruth Amos – Writer | Regina Lepping – Writer

Contributors Thank you to everyone who contributed to YOSI Issue 2: ANZ, Stella Waioha, Ally Pitia, Joel Black, Nelson Kile, Brian Kikiolo, Mary Itende, Fr. Ambrose Pereira, Barnabas Manebona, Shermaine Kwakwala, Rhelsta Sore, Raywin Taroaniara, Daniel Poa (Danzo), Solomon Islands National Museum, Australian High Commission, Walasi George Kiriau, Lianne Saokwai, Eddie Wagiro, Hilarina Lelea, Brown Thompson, Zahiyd Namo, Nascia Pae, Kenny Kama, Phillip Jerry, Alice Hou, Brian Baeto, Japhet Reuben, Armstrong Ragoso, Edgar Pollard, Elani Gani, Elvina Gani, Isaac Tekulu, Patterson Olea, Ruthie Holmes and Tanya Sani.

Cover photo credit: Regina Lepping Solomon Sports Merchandise sponsored by DJ Graphics Ltd and on sale at DJs!

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 3

Our youth need heroes!

Welcome to YOSI Issue 2.

Youth@Work is excited to bring you 36 pages of feature articles, interviews, short stories, photographs, poetry and more.

The theme for this issue is ‘Heroes’. Our youth need heroes; role models they can look up to, leaders they can follow and peers who can show them that Solomon Islands youth can achieve anything they set their mind to.

There are a number of young sporting, community and arts heroes who are featured in YOSI Issue 2.

As you read through the articles, you will notice one opinion shared by many of these heroes – they have a passion and love of sport.

It is amazing what our Pacific Games athletes managed to achieve with the resources available to them. It makes their accomplishments that much more impressive.

The talent and dedication shown at every Youth Market to creating and perfecting dance performances always blows us away. A number of these dance groups rehearse every day, in their

backyards, in public spaces, wherever they can find a flat space. That’s in addition to school and work commitments.

Soccer is another passion of our youth. You can see them on every spare patch of grass kicking between a few friends or playing a full game.

Sport is incredibly important in helping youth make positive decisions in life.

Sport helps keep youth occupied, it gives them a goal to work towards, it demonstrates the importance of discipline and commitment. There is a huge amount of enthusiasm for sport in this country and also a huge amount of untapped sporting talent out there.

Let’s foster this enthusiasm and work together to provide youth with more opportunities to get involved with and excel in sport.

This is only our second edition of YOSI. Youth, remember this is your magazine so keep telling us what you want to see in future editions of YOSI. We were so thrilled with the response to the launch of YOSI Issue 1. It seems youth have embraced this magazine and the opportunity it provides to find information, share their stories, and showcase their talent. We look forward to growing and improving YOSI into the future with your help.

Youth@Work Group Leaders

International Youth Day was celebrated around the world last month under the theme ‘Youth Civic Engagement’.

Youth participation in civic society is vital. This fact is being increasingly recognised on a global scale, as governments around the world adopt national youth policies that aim to increase engagement and empowerment of young people. Solomon Islands will be part of this movement.

This issue is of particular importance to our country as youth make up more than half the population. Our National Youth Policy, which was mentioned in Issue 01 of YOSI, has a strong focus on youth engagement and empowerment.

Young people must be engaged in the political, economic and social issues that affect Solomon Islands.

This includes youth from all regions and backgrounds.

We must build a society where youth are enabled and encouraged to recognise their talents and fulfil their potential.

This work has already begun.

For International Youth Day, a number of youth forums were held around Solomon Islands where youth representatives were able to raise awareness of issues that affect their communities to government leaders and stakeholders. It was a privilege for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs to be part of these events and we were deeply encouraged and inspired to hear the highly motivated youth who took part sharing their thoughts and ideas.

I want to assure all youth, your input is greatly valued and will help steer future youth policy and overall, the future of this country.

We look forward to continuing this collaboration with youth and stakeholders to proactively identify and address youth needs. Let’s work together to create and harness opportunities like YOSI, where youth can express themselves and become a powerful voice in our communities.

Hugo Hebala Under Secretary, Technical and Corporate Services, Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs

ADVERTISE IN

* 3000 COPIES PER ISSUE * OVER 600 DIGITAL VIEWS * 4 ISSUES ANNUALLY

For enquiries: call 25278 | email yosi@youth-at-work.org Come down to the Youth@Work office, Art Gallery

solo Heroes THE STORIES BEHIND OUR 2015 PACIFIC GAMES CHAMPIONS

6 YOSI Issue 02 2015

Special Feature: Heroes

JENLY TEGU WINI, 32. 3 GOLD: SNATCH, CLEAN & JERK, OVERALL WINNER for two hours each morning and afternoon. After her training is finished, she coaches the juniors, four boys and four girls.

Jenly enjoys being a role model to these young people and helping to build the next generation of weightlifters.

“I feel I have to do something for the young ones,” she explains, “to help them understand what’s right.”

“When I finish, who will be the next person who will stand up and represent Solomon Islands?”

Jenly also believes the Government needs to do more to help the next generation of sportspeople in Solomon Islands.

“I want to encourage the government to provide incentives and rewards to help athletes to be professional and also look at improving facilities so we can be competitive internationally and more people can get involved in sport.”

A lack of facilities isn’t the only challenge Jenly faces as a professional female Solomon Islands weightlifter.

“The other day I walked past a group of men who were speaking in my language. They were saying bad things about me.”

“In the evening the gym is packed and many people watch you, some people say good things but some people say bad things. I tell the other athletes to ignore them and keep training.”

“Some people say it’s not right for a woman to do weightlifting. They say only a man can do a sport like that.”

“I don’t care, it doesn’t affect me. I will keep doing what I am doing.

I keep my ears closed.

“It’s a modern life, women can do anything.”

Jenly is a single mother of a 13 year old son. In order to perform at an elite level she has to spend long periods of time training overseas. She says the hardest thing about her sport is being away from him. It is also hard for her to support him financially as weightlifting doesn’t provide a steady income.

“I am lucky, my family really backs

me up.”

Jenly has managed to put her son through school and says she will continue to do so.

“He is proud of me to be a mum and doing this sport.

Jenly understands it is hard for young people growing up in Solomon Islands.

“For me, when I’m playing sport, I can concentrate on this. I don’t need to go out with friends drinking, and smoking. I can leave those things.

“If you love your training and enjoy it, you will be successful. It’s the same for everything in life, including education. It’s all about discipline, behaviour, attitude, commitment and sacrifice. You will earn something at the end.”

Jenly is ready for her next big challenge, the Rio Olympics next year.

“I still believe I can improve and do better,” she reveals.

“My dream is for me, or for one of the girls I train, to get a place at the next Olympics.”

“

It’s a modern life, women can do anything.

“

T

here are shouts, grunts and loud bangs coming from the small, blue, dilapidated building next to the multipurpose hall. People are lined up outside along the windows, peering in to get a glimpse of what is going on in there.

Inside are some of the strongest people in Solomon Islands. This group trains every day inside this bare, rundown building. Lifting and shouting, pushing and grunting and finally lifting a large metal bar with kilograms of weights attached over their heads triumphantly, before dropping it to the ground with a loud bang. This is repeated over and over again.

Jenly Tegu Wini, 32, was never intimated by this tough, noisy environment. The quietly confident, strong woman from Malaita had just what it took to excel in the sport of weightlifting. She won three gold at the Pacific Games: snatch, clean and jerk and overall winner.

Jenly’s career started seven years ago when she walked past the blue building on her way to the gym, as she had done many times before.

But this particular day she stopped to watch the weightlifters inside.

At that time there were only men training. The boys told her to come inside and try it. Jenly was looking for a new sport so she decided to give it a go.

“I started with an empty bar and it took three weeks just to lift the bar which weighs 20kg,” she explains.

“At that time they only had the men’s bar. Then once I could do this, I added weights, 10kg at a time. Each week I improved.”

It took a while for the sport to grow on Jenly, but she wanted to stick with it.

“I thought, why are there only boys doing it? I thought if I start doing it, it will make a change and get more females into weightlifting. Girls can do it too, not just men.”

“After competing and doing well, it became a part of me. Now, if I miss training, I feel sick. I have to go to the gym and move my body every day.”

Since then a number of other girls have joined the sport. Jenly trains

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 7

Special Feature: Heroes

SHARON FIRISUA, 21. 3 GOLD: 5000m, 10,000m, HALF MARATHON

S

haron Firisua wasn’t nervous before her first and favourite event, the 5000m, at the 2015 Pacific Games in July.

“I had a high aim for the 5000m race. I really wanted to win. But I wasn’t nervous, I felt very confident,” she explains. The 21 year old Malaitan says competing in races is sometimes easier than training.

“I treat each training and time trial like a race even if it’s just at home in Solomon Islands.”

“I get more nervous because there is a target you must reach.”

“I am used to the pressure.

Before a race, I set my mind up and then just relax and follow the race. Sometimes it’s a fast race, sometimes it’s a slow race, you never know what it’s going to be.”

“Someone always leads the race,

“

You must be confident, have a strong mind, don’t let what others say get you down.

so it depends who that is and what pace they set.”

“For the Games I led all three, everyone was scared of me, so I just set my target and followed it. For the last lap of the 5000m, I sprinted like it was a 100m race, I gave all the energy I had left.”

“When I crossed the line in first place I was so happy, I can’t even describe the feeling. Afterwards, I thanked God for the strength he gave me, I also thanked my coach and supporters, and then I focused on my next race.”

Sharon went on to win the 10,000m and half marathon and set new games records for the 5000m and 10,000m.

Sharon just keeps getting faster and faster. She set the Solomon Islands record for the 5000m at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and then broke it later that year at the Oceania Championships.

“That’s a strong motivation for me – to break those records,” she confirms.

“I want to continually set new records for all long distance events in Solomon Islands.”

Sharon realised she had a talent for long distance running in primary school when she easily won all the school events without doing any training. When she moved to Honiara after school, it was her Uncle David Firisua who encouraged her to get into running on a more serious level and start training. She said her Uncle was a big supporter of her running career.

He passed away last year and Sharon was proud to dedicate one of her Pacific Games gold medals to him.

Now, her focus is on the 2016 Olympics, which will take place in Rio in August.

She headed to Australia last month to begin training for the Olympics.

She is currently undertaking a gruelling training regime which will see her run over 100 kilometres each week up until the big event next year.

But she is not fazed by the challenges ahead. She has already overcome many to get where she is.

“There aren’t many facilities we can use in Solomon Islands. The gym is

“

8 YOSI Issue 02 2015

always so busy and it’s full of boys so I don’t feel comfortable going there.

Plus it’s so busy I can’t do my sets properly.”

“It’s also hard when I go running in the street. There are a lot of drunk men who yell out at me. They say things like ‘you’re wasting your time’, I tell them it’s none of their business.

Or they hassle me and say rude things and ask me to go out with them. I tell them they don’t have an appointment with me. Sometimes they block the road. I just talk to them until they let me through.

Sometimes they even throw stones at me. I told the Police about that but nothing happened.”

“I’m not scared of them. It doesn’t bother me. It encourages me to work and train hard so I can prove that it is worth it, that they are wrong.”

“You hardly see any female athletes here and I understand why.”

She has a strong and focused mind for someone so young which is helped by a genuine passion for running.

“I love running and training,” Sharon says with pride.

“It’s good for your health. When I was young I was always sick. Since I started training five years ago I haven’t been sick. You sweat, you feel good, you sleep better, it helps with stress, it helps you forget about your worries.”

“I also don’t get involved in drinking and going out clubbing. I don’t have time and it takes a lot of discipline to train so I need to focus on that.

I don’t miss doing those things, I’m not interested in that. Also my family is happier, they know I am training a lot and not doing those things. So I have more freedom in my life.”

“It feels great to represent my country in sport. It exposes a different side to life. If you are a Solomon Islander you should do something for your country.”

Sharon encourages young people to work hard and don’t give up.

“You must be confident, have a strong mind, don’t let what others say get you down.”

“If you have talent, work hard. Once you have achieved something then you will see that it is all worth it.”

GET INVOLVED with issue 03

Due out in December

We want story ideas about anything and everything to do with youth in Solomon Islands

* Career Stories * Health * Education * Environment * Sports * Communities * Faith * Music * Traditions

We welcome submissions of artwork, creative writing, poetry, feature writing, opinion pieces, photography and more.

Youth, this is YOUR magazine.So get involved. yosi@youth-at-work.org, www.facebook.com/ YOSIMagazine

Special Feature: Heroes

wenty year old Rosefelo Siosi is energetic and talkative as he describes the feeling of winning the gold medal for the 10,000m at the Pacific Games this year.

“I was so happy, it was my dream come true. When I started running I wanted to be a gold medallist at the Pacific Games.”

Rosefelo, from Ata’a in Malaita, is enthusiastic and bubbly. He laughs and jokes often and is happy to open up and share his story.

He says he also likes to listen to others’ stories.

“I like to spend time with members of the public, meet everyone and talk to them,” he explains.

“I think you should listen to everyone in your community. Even if they are small or big, everyone has something to say, something to offer, and something you can learn from them.”

“Listen to everybody because that person may have good words to say to you to help you in life.”

His running career started at the early age of eight after he was given his first pair of football boots.

“I used my boots to play AFL, soccer and to run. I loved running around on and off the field,” he recalls.

“I used to watch the athletes train at KG and would run after the big boys.

The coach saw me and invited me to

“

come and train with them. So from that time I was always interested in Athletics.”

He was only 16 when he competed in his first serious competition, the Oceania Championships in Cairns in 2012. He took out gold in the 5000m and 10,000m, a first for someone from Solomon Islands.

“I was so nervous I just wanted to finish,” he reflects.

Since then he has been one of the top long distance runners in the region, taking out a number of medals in a range of competitions and distances.

Like Sharon and Jenly he trains almost every day and runs up to 120 km each week.

He says it hasn’t always been easy being disciplined and training hard, especially in the Burns Creek community where he grew up.

He says he has a lot of support from family, his coach and other sportspeople to keep going and train hard, particularly his father.

“He is very encouraging to all of us, his children, raising us to be good kids,” he says.

Rosefelo recorded his personal best in the 5000m at the Pacific Games in Port Moresby and broke the national record for the 10,000m. His goal for the Rio Olympics is to run the 5000m in under 15 minutes.

He plans to fly to Melbourne to train

once he has completed his Form 5 exams in October.

Rosefelo has big plans for the future that don’t just involve running.

“I want to keep running for a long time, keep playing sport, study Science and physiology and have a job in the sporting field where I can care for people, help people, be responsible and reliable,” he explains.

He says he owes much of his success to God. When he crossed the line in first place at the Pacific Games, he immediately thanked God. “It’s because of God that I finished the race. Without God there is nothing.”

Rosefelo believes sport is one of the best ways to achieve something good in life.

“Sometimes when I am training I feel like I am dying, it’s painful. But I tell myself this is what I have to do, I just need to do it if I want to achieve something. You have to keep going, even when it hurts. No pain, no gain.”

“I would like to encourage young people to pray, be disciplined, train hard, listen to your parents. Sport can help, if you do sport you are not thinking about doing other things like drinking and smoking. Go to school, train, do your homework and concentrate on sport.”

You have to keep going, even when it hurts.

No pain, no gain.

10 YOSI Issue 02 2015

“

T

ROSEFELO SIOSI, 20. GOLD: 10,000m. SILVER: 5000m

arts & entertainment

our top DANCE CREWS INTRODUCING THE TOP FIVE PLACE-GETTERS FROM THE JULY YOUTH FESTIVAL

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 11

arts arts & & entertainment entertainment

GETTING TO

DA NC

Elliot Kaua, 24 01 Block Streetwalkers Dance move: Elbow Stand How did you get into dancing?

Watching overseas dance videos.

What do you love about dancing?

I like to dream up new ideas for dance moves. I think about dancing every day.

How did you get into dancing?

I started dancing in a Sunday school group then we started watching movies and decided to form a dance group.

Walter Walasi, 16 Burning Crew Dance Move: Handstand

12 YOSI Issue 02 2015

How often does your group dance together?

Every day.

What makes a great dance group?

Original moves.

Who is your Solomon Islands hero and why?

My friend Price Tepuke from my neighbourhood. He taught me everything about dance.

What is your dream for your dance group?

To travel the world dancing with my group and learn from international dancers.

What is your dream in life?

I want to be a famous choreographer.

What is the best thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

Forming a dance group.

What is the hardest thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

Not giving up.

Message to youth: Youth, you must do something for your country.

What do you love about dancing?

It stops me from being involved in the wrong things.

How often does your group dance together?

Every evening we practise outside our house.

What makes a great dance group?

Working together and sharing ideas.

Who is your Solomon Islands hero and why?

My Father, he encourages me to do something good with my life.

What is your dream for your dance group?

To dance for youths and share messages that help build our nation.

What is your dream in life?

To become a good leader that can encourage youth in the future.

What is the best thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

Being involved with Church youth groups and the Youth Market.

What is the hardest thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

Peer pressure to do things like steal and fight.

Message to youth: Get involved in youth activities and don’t get into crime.

Harold Ratu, 17 Mid-Street Do you normally make a peace sign with your hand in Lilu Peace move?

No I included the extra peace sign because we live in a Church area so we need to bring the peace.

How did you get into dancing?

Michael Jackson really inspired me.

My favourite video clip is Smooth Criminal. Whenever Michael Jackson won a dance competition he would donate the prize. I would like to do the same.

What do you love about dancing?

You make a lot of friends and get to know a lot of people. We have a lot of fans so it stops me from getting into trouble as I want to be a good role model for them.

How often does your group dance together?

We would dance every day but at the moment we don’t have a venue to practice.

What makes a great dance group?

Work together, be strong minded and everyone must contribute ideas.

Who is your Solomon Islands hero and why?

arts arts & & entertainment entertainment

KNOW OUR

C E RS

Dance move: Lilu Peace My Dad. He always encourages me and helps me to understand what is good and bad in life.

What is your dream for your dance group?

I hope we can keep dancing even after we have families and teach our kids how to dance.

What is your dream in life?

To become a good leader in my community and help change other people’s lives for the better.

What is the best thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

Having a lot of friends and going camping and playing sports.

What is the hardest thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

There are no programs or facilities for youth.

Message to youth: Youth of Solomon Islands should get involved in many activities like Church and sport to keep them busy and stop them from getting involved in criminal activities. We should be good examples for the next generation.

How did you get into dancing?

Having an interest to dance and watching dance movies.

What do you love about dancing?

Dancing helps me to know more people around the country.

How often does your group dance together?

Every day at Rove Police Field What makes a great dance group?

Working together and sharing ideas as a crew.

Who is your Solomon Islands hero and why?

Kelly – the leader of Midwest. He has unique moves and encourages the crew to dance well.

What is your dream for your dance group?

To be the best dance crew in the country.

What is your dream in life?

To become an aircraft engineer.

What is the best thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

Attending youth programs, such as sport, with friends.

What is the hardest thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

The cost of education is too high for so many people.

Message to youth: I call on all youths of Solomon Islands to get involved and participate in all youth programs to avoid criminal activities within our nation, communities and societies.

How did you get into dancing?

I was interested in dancing so watched lots of dance movies and other dance crews as well.

What do you love about dancing?

Support from the crowd and creating lots of friends.

How often does your group dance together?

Every day. We practise in an empty pool because we don’t have a proper venue.

What makes a great dance group?

Team work and cooperation.

Who is your Solomon Islands hero and why?

Duncan from Tiadropz. He is good at dancing and he encouraged me to dance and do the right thing.

What is your dream for your dance group?

To build a dance school for youth in Solomon Islands.

What is your dream in life?

To be a carpenter and help others who don’t know how to build.

What is the best thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

It’s easy to meet and make new friends. Also participating in youth activities.

What is the hardest thing about being a youth in Solomon Islands?

The Government should consider the rights of youths in Solomon Islands and create small jobs so youth can avoid criminal activities.

Message to youth: Seek something that can help your future get involved in dance, sport, church, etc. and don’t commit crime.

Clement Losa, 19 Midwest Rebirth Dance move: Invent

Jordan Agita, 17 Nice Age Dance move: Hallowback

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 13

Special Feature: saving

$AVE YOUR$ELF TIPS ON HOW AND WHY TO SAVE

“The difference between rich people and poor people isn’t how much they earn, but how they SPEND WHAT THEY EARN” ~ Robert Kyosaki e ur

he T r

t Fu

Putting some money away each payday can help you to look after your future

What o things in our F g future might we want n ni n to put money away for? a

Example: - Weekly earnings: $200 - Spend $180 - Save $20 - Week 1 - $20 - Week 2 - $20 - Week 3 - $20 - Week 4 - $20 - Week 5 - $20

Pl

- Big bills we know are coming - Special things we want to buy - Emergencies

Total saved: $100

Smart Goals SPECIFIC - How much are you saving for and how much will it cost?

MEASURABLE - How much will you put away to reach your goal?

ACHIEVABLE - What will you change in your life to be able to put that money away each week?

REALISTIC - Are you really going to be able to reach your goal?

TIMED - How long will it take to reach your goal?

Start small and each success will give you confidence

SAVING FOR A SPECIAL GOAL

TIPS FOR SHOPPING - Don’t go shopping when you are hungry - Look for no name brands - Buy things in bulk that keep well - Make a shopping list and stick to it

- A goal is something you want to achieve in the future Why do we set goals?

- Compare prices - Look for 2nd hand items - Bargain the price down

- To help us get what we want out of life

- Wait for sales and discount days

- To give us something to aim for

- Check the store catalogues

- To get more control of life

Content provided by ANZ

Special Feature: saving

SUCCESSFUL SAVERS

By Ruth Amos Miriam Nunu, a self-disciplined 27 year old, has taught herself the art of earning money, managing it and saving part of it for her future plans.

She explains that her journey started when she was in grade five. She was the eldest of two and when her mother got sick and was admitted at the National Referral Hospital for a whole year, Miriam took up the role as the family’s breadwinner.

“At that time I would travel back to my island home in East AreAre, and plant root crops such as yam and taro, then collect sea shells and crabs, then travel back to town and sell them in the market.”

She continued with the trade and was able to pay for her younger brother’s school fees from forms 1-7 as well as for his current studies at USP.

By Stella Waioha, Vois Blong Mere Roana Kanainao Namokana comes from West Are Are, Malaita province. She is sixteen years old and currently attending form 5 at Mbua Valley High School. She values her education and hopes to become an accountant one day.

She felt encouraged to join Rokotanikeni Savings after learning that a few girls were already members of the savings club. So in 2013, she became a member and

Now her mother sends produce over by ship and Miriam sells it at Honiara Central Market.

“Every day, after my sale, I separate the money for our specific needs – food, rent (since we live alone) and school fees with the rest to be deposited in my savings account at the end of the week.”

She says with her savings she would be able to look after herself in the future.

“My aim is to use my savings, build my own house and a canteen and continue on with my business,” she says with a smile.

started to save in her passbook. Her younger two sisters also joined the savings club that year. It was a little competition at home as to who is saving more.

At home, each of the students receives 10 dollars towards bus fare and lunch. However, because breakfast and lunch are always provided at home, Roana saw an opportunity to save her coins. She would spend 4 dollars on return bus fares, and whenever possible she would save the remaining 6 dollars.

The highly motivated young lady says that she understands that times are hard now, but that the only solution is through savings.

“I only spend on my needs and not wants. I spend money on clothes and other girl stuff but only when I most need it, and save as much as I can in my new bank account.”

Miriam continues selling ginger, beans and plastic bags in the Central Market, with an aim to save as much as she can.

That is how she started her savings.

To increase her savings Roana used her money to purchase rice in bulk, which she then resold at a small profit. She now makes $13 profit on each bale of rice and purchases a new bale on demand. This year she will be concentrating on her studies as her exams are getting closer but she still hopes to continue saving.

Her aim is to see her savings grow.

She wants to grow her money and save towards her tertiary education.

As her money grows, it encourages her to save more, she feels confident that she can achieve her aim, and feels special and excited about her savings. Roana would like to encourage young girls to join or form any savings clubs, and save towards the future. She feels it is sad but important to know that one day our parents may not be there, or able to support us. Therefore, it is important to start saving, little by little; anyone can do it, so start now.

Thank you Rokotanikeni womens savings club for creating the space and opportunity for a young girl like to Roana to share, learn and save.

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 15

arts & entertainment

ONE DROP : SERIOUS FUN

T

HE classic group One Drop band are well known in the Solomon Islands music Industry. They have been around for 10 years and are one of few local music groups that make a living out of playing music. In order to help aspiring young musicians, One Drop band shares the secrets of their success with journalist Regina Lepping.

One Drop was formed in 2005. It consists of 8 band members.

Some of them have played in other popular bands like Apprentice Band, Cool Roots, Fire Nice and many more.

They even have 2007’s Best Drummer of the Year award winner and 2005’s Best Guitarist of the Year award winner on their team.

“It’s not about how good you play music, it’s how long you last” says the band’s live show sounds engineer Danny Faárodo.

“We live by that saying,” the others agree.

The band got its name from the simple act of having just one beer or as they say “one drop” from the same bottle before starting the show.

“It helps to calm us down before a performance,” says William Wale.

“We don’t get drunk to play; a true musician plays when he or she is normal. You shouldn’t need alcohol to give you confidence to play,” Sony adds.

Having been in previous bands that did not work out, the band members are in a position to advise on what makes a good band last.

“Lack of commitment, a bad attitude and mismanagement can lead to the breakup of anything, including a music band,” Danny says.

“I think all bands face the same struggles,” Sony adds “and they apply to

Back - Danny Faárodo (keyboards), Arnold Fafale (percussions), Ray Kafo (guitarist), Freddy Faárado (drums). Front - Nelson ‘Sony’ Mamae (Vocals), Ezekiel (guitarist), Albert Fafale (bass guitarist).

Absent: William Wale (percussion player)

our everyday life as well.”

“It’s not easy to keep a band together, especially when you have new priorities that will come up later in life,” adds Ray, the founder of the band and a teacher by profession.

“It’s important that you have a good relationship with the public whether you are performing or not, always discipline yourself for the long run,” Sony says.

Most of the men are full time musicians, something Sony uniquely coins as “serious fun.”

“This is what most of us do to get money, to make a living. What some bands do for fun, we do both seriously and for fun,” Sony says enthusiastically.

Due to the group’s passion for music, they have also helped other young bands in making their way up.

“We want to bring out the talents in young musicians. We have worked with DMP, Davu and many other young bands.”

When asked what is one of the best shows they have ever put on, the men pause for a long time, giving each other the ‘which one would that be?’ kind of look and finally Ray says, “All the shows, we just enjoy every show we put on.”

The band says one of the greatest challenges they face is straightening out everything at home before going out to perform.

“If there’s an argument between you and your family, sort it out before you go out,” Sony says.

They have one last piece of advice for budding artists.

“For young musicians, education must be your priority before music,” Ray says.

One Drop regularly play live at the Heritage Park Club, Yacht Club and other ceremonies around Honiara.

They are truly evidence of how it’s not important how good you play but how long you last and have serious fun.

arts & entertainment

Despite the loud applause from the crowd, her voice cuts through with perfect pitch, hitting the right notes and wowing the judges. YOSI talks with the 2015 Solo Icon winner Amy Baura.

What does it feel like being the Solo Icon of this year?

I felt proud and shocked when I was announced the winner. I didn’t expect to win, it is a competition with tough opponents.

Who inspired you or encouraged you to be in the Solo Icon competition?

My parents. Mostly my dad, he used to sing when he was young.

When did you realise that you could sing, and were capable of being in the Solo Icon?

When I was 2 years old, well I grew up singing karaoke songs and I sang a song by Celine Dion for my parents, it was then that I realised I could sing and decided to join Solo Icon.

What would you want to do in the future?

I would like to continue singing and still work as a hair dresser.

Something to do aside from singing.

PITCH PERFE CT A MY Interview by Ruth Amos Who is your Icon artist?

Old classic artists, because I grew up listening to them.

In just one word, what is singing to you?

Emotional.

What kind of feelings did you have on stage?

Nervous yet motivated to give all my best.

What’s it like to be young and living your dream?

(Smiles) Normal.

What is your greatest achievement?

Winning the Solo Icon this year.

What is your plan after this?

I plan on going out singing at programs, venues or events that I’m invited to.

How were you able to do it?

Prayer and high hope.

What were your experiences through the stages of the competition?

Stressful, I was given only two weeks to choose a powerful song, to really showcase my voice and prove fit for the next level.

What is your favourite past-time?

Hanging out with my family, friends and my boyfriend.

18 YOSI Issue 02 2015

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Solo Icon in 2011, I competed in the junior category, it was not a right song choice and I forgot most of the lyrics and the crowd wasn’t kind.

What is your message to youths out there who are still struggling to live their dream?

Don’t hide your gift, dream big, one day your dream will come true if you work hard for it and pray about it.

Special Feature: Heroes

what it takes to be a...

Queen’s Young Leader

they were inspired and started coming along.”

Christina set up the program while working full-time as a Print and Media Officer for Catholic Communication.

It was a colleague who encouraged her to apply for the Queen’s Young Leaders Award. Christina says she was so shocked when she found out she had won the award.

“I didn’t think I would have a chance.

I thought someone would win who had more education and more experience.”

“I didn’t believe it.”

She says it felt amazing to meet the Queen.

“I didn’t achieve this alone. I felt like I was representing every young person in Solomon Islands.”

During her two weeks in England Christina received training and mentoring from prestigious universities and organisations on leadership, management, promotion and fundraising.

With her new skills and confidence, she is ready to focus on her goals for the future.

“Most people in Solomon Islands live in rural areas. Many rural people don’t have the confidence to come out of their communities. My aim is to train youths to go out and do training in the communities.”

Christina says there are many youth out there like her who don’t have the confidence to believe in themselves.

“I want to encourage youth, don’t think negative things about yourself,” she insists.

“You don’t have to be the brightest or best educated.”

“Believe in yourself and the changes you can make in your community.”

“

I didn’t achieve this alone. I felt like I was representing every young person in Solomon Islands.

“

O

N June 24, 2015 Christina Houaisuta met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony inside Buckingham Palace. The 29 year old was one of 60 young heroes from Commonwealth countries around the world to receive a Queen’s Young Leaders Award. The mother of two talks about this experience and her personal journey which led her there.

Growing up in a village in Guadalcanal, Christina witnessed many of the problems that can occur in villages where people are isolated and can’t access education and support services.

Originally she wanted to be a doctor, but when she was 16 years old, she realised she wanted to dedicate her life to improving the lives of people in rural communities.

Since then Christina has set up a community group in her village called ‘Strive for Change’, which includes a youth group, a women’s group and a savings club.

“We meet up every week and about once every month or so I organise trainings,” Christina explains.

The trainings are on a number of topics including the importance of education, how to look after children, the environment, health and sanitation, domestic violence issues, and employment.

“Lots of people in rural areas don’t have access to education and resources to know about these things.

That’s why I want to help.”

Christina says she has seen big changes in her community. She has improved living conditions in the village, assisted people to find employment and helped youth get their lives on track.

“Strive for Change has slowly changed people’s mentality and how they think about the future.”

Christina says it took a while for people to embrace the program.

“It was difficult at first,” she reflects, “the elders and the parents supported the group but no one turned up, just a few youth.”

“Once they saw the effects, the positive changes in some of the youth,

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 19

culture

CUSTOM BLO MI

In this issue we look at food customs in Solomon Islands

Kori Kori, Savo

By Joel Black This is a traditional food in Savo. It is mashed pana mixed with coconut cream and mashed dried nali nuts mixed together in a motu.

It is usually served during big feats and Church celebrations and is presented to Chiefs when they return from their journey after visiting a place.

In the old days it was usually served with megapode eggs, cooked in motu.

Pongohi Paupau, Lord Howe

By Brian Kikiolo Pongohi is usually prepared for big ceremonies like weddings and feasts.

Basically it is fish and clam grilled on low heat.

First the fish is cut open similar to when the fish is filleted. It is not completely cut out, just from where the dorsal fin is and then it is just left open. The clams are taken out from their shells and threaded into a wooden skewer. They are put on a net onto a fire(without the flames). Then slowly, repeatedly turn it over until it is cooked. This is done so it can be preserved over a period of time. It is reheated if it needs to be preserved for a longer period.

Kekeo, Kia, North Isabel

By Nelson Kile In Kia village Milkfish, also called Kekeo (local language) or Chanos Chanos (scientific name) is eaten during traditional ceremonies such as weddings, church celebrations and cementing ceremonies.

Kekeo is a large species of fish which feeds on algae in sandy lagoons.

It is a tasty, fatty fish most commonly cooked in motu, or sometimes boiled or fried. The whole fish is eaten.

Traditionally, fishing for Kekeo, or ‘Vaikekeo’, involves a special net made out of traditional ropes and wood. The fisherman track which direction the fish are swimming and circle around the fish with their nets.

Tauma, Arosi

By Ally Pitia Tauma is a traditional dish from Arosi in the Makira province that is usually consumed on special occasions such as engagements, weddings and traditional village feasts. It is made from swamp taro (locally known as kakama) pudding, pounded in large wooden bowl and thoroughly blended with oil and coconut cream extracted from about a hundred coconuts. The coconut oil, which acts as preservative, enable the pudding to be preserved up to six month before consumed, hence the name “six-month pudding”.

Nambo, Santa Cruz Habaku, Shortland

Habaku is a custom kaikai in Shortland Islands. It is made of many cassavas with pure coconut milk. The cassavas are boiled and mashed up in a huge wooden bowl known as Tagoro, it is then milked with pure coconut milk.

Habaku can only be made and eaten when a chief dies. To prepare it can sometimes take a whole day and it must be eaten just before the sun goes down.

20 YOSI Issue 02 2015

By Mary Itende Nambo is dried bread fruit. Because it can be preserved, it is eaten when travelling to distant locations or during natural disasters. It is also used in family and custom gatherings. When the fruit is ripe, it is harvested and burnt to preserve it for peeling. Next it is cut up, while the fire is prepared in the dryer (nir glu wi). The nambo is placed on the dryer whilst it is hot. It stays here for one night, with someone turning it to ensure the soft nambo is at the bottom of the nir glu wi.

Once hard, nambo is stored in an air tight container to maintain it’s freshness. It is usually eaten with dry coconut, ngali nut or dried alite.

youth faith

of the Earth

T

his group of young sportsmen are leading the development of futsal in Solomon Islands, and helping young people live a strong Christian life at the same time.

The former Kuru Kuru players (Solomon Islands national futsal team) run the Sport and Leadership Training (SALT) program in schools around Honiara.

Every day they visit different schools running futsal training sessions as well as giving The SALT team: presentations on Christian values.

They also refereed all the games in (standing) Pastor Nacanieli Seru, Robert Laua, Phillip Houtarau, Jeffrey Bule, (sitting) Mathias Saru, Stanley Puarana and Michael Batée. a new school futsal competition which featured around 90 different teams and ran from June to the end of August.

25 year old Mathias Saru is one of good role model for young people in development as well. the SALT leaders. He competed with Solomon Islands.

He says the program has been a Kuru Kuru at the 2012 Futsal World “Many young people say ‘how can I success for both school students and Cup in Thailand. follow your life?’” the SALT leaders.

He says being part of the program “I try to help young people to “It has helped them change their has changed his life. understand – if you change your life, lives by helping others,” he explains.

“Before I was drinking, smoking, be a good sportsperson, be a good “They face the same problems then I changed my lifestyle and lost citizen, lose your bad attitude, pray as every youth, with lots of peer those bad things,” he explains. and work with God, then you will pressure to do the wrong things.”

“Helping to build up young people change and help your future as well.” “This helps them live a good life has helped me to live a strong “You must put God first in and contribute and make a positive Christian life.” everything.” difference.”

“My new life is much better for my “I see many changes in the students.

“We get great feedback from future.”

It makes me happy to see this.” teachers about the program. The “I want to help other young people SALT has been running since children really look forward to it. do the same.”

2012 and is a partnership between It occupies their time. Instead of Mathias is currently training Solomon Islands Sports Coalition, running around after school they with his team Marst for the local Bibleway Centre, Bulk Shop, come and train. Parents can see the competition which starts in Solomon Islands Football Federation changes too.”

September. and Dural Sports and Leisure Michael says the boys in the SALT Centre, part of Dural Baptist team have been core to the program’s Church. success and the continuing You must put God Coordinator and Bibleway Youth development of futsal in Solomon Pastor Michael Batée says when Islands. first in everything. the Kuru Kuru World Cup team Throughout the school futsal returned from Thailand in 2012, competition selectors kept a keen He is hoping to make the national they didn’t have anything to go back eye on players, and on finals day, side during selections in November to. they announced a team of Under and travel with them to Tahiti for the “We thought how can we use their 12s who will represent Solomon 2016 World Cup Oceania qualifiers. talents and skills to give something Islands at the Australian Futsal If the team qualify, they will back to the community and Championships in Sydney in participate in the World Cup in schools?” he says.

January 2016. For the first time, September in Columbia.

Michael says the program focuses girls were also included in the futsal Mathias’ goal is to become a not only on the students’ futsal competition in the Under 12 and professional futsal player, and to be a development but on spiritual Under 14 categories.

“

“

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 21

careers

YOUTH ENTR EPRENEURS SHARE THEI R THOUGHTS Youth Market Festival and Concert, July, 2015 Encourage other Unemployed Youth

Tanya Amelia Bethel, 19, hails from Isabel Province and is part Vanuatu.

Tanya is a former student of Mbokona, and has spent the past year helping her mother ensure that their home is clean and well kept.

A lover of sports and games, she plays tennis and has attended the Marathon Kakabona training. As a youngster her sister Zanelia and other women inspired her. She has been able to ‘look and learn’, and develop her creative and talented side. She shares her thoughts: “I took up a stall at the ‘Youth Market’ and was happy to do

Prison is

face painting and arts and crafts.

It gave me the chance to share my talents as well as develop my business skills. I realise that these activities help me earn an income.”

“It even helps me to think in broad ways about business activities and helps me to encourage other unemployed youths to make use of their hidden potential rather than be involved in other unnecessary activities.”

“Youths form one of the highest populations in Solomon Islands today and most of them are unemployed. It is sad that several are involved in activities that cause problems in their community.”

“I would love to help other young people as they try to keep themselves busy and create for themselves a better life.”

“I plan to work for my school fees and study further to qualify myself. My dream is to establish a business where I can train others in skills to enable them to start their own business in the future”.

NO

George Kadau Oge, 28, hails from Walande, South Malaita.

He is presently working in the maintenance section at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson. He enjoys his work and supports his parents who live in Honiara. A venture that he carries on with immense pride, is that of running short courses in welding for the inmates of the Correctional Centre, Rove.

nice place

George has two brothers and two sisters and is the 4th sibling in his family. He did his primary education at Yandina Primary School and completed his secondary education at Auki Secondary School, Malaita Province.

In 2009 he enrolled for a Carpentry Course at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson.

The two year course gave him a discipline for himself, a dedication to daily duty and commitment to hard work.

He later enrolled in the construction management course at the Kukum campus.

During the last three years he has been working with the

22 YOSI Issue 02 2015

By Fr. Ambrose Pereira

Lessons and Blessings

Tanya Wickham hails from the Western and Isabel provinces.

She spent most of her childhood years in Samoa and then returned to the Solomon Islands. She is completing her final year in Foundation Arts at St. Nicholas, Honiara. After completing her studies at St. Nicholas she plans to study for a degree in Finance and Accounting. Tanya shares her thoughts with us.

“I started making bracelets after my aunt taught me the basics, and began developing more intricate patterns as I mastered the art. When I started getting positive feedback from my friends and family, I decided

By Fr. Ambrose Pereira

maintenance team at Don Bosco and is proud to be of service to his ‘Alma Mater’. Under the direction and guidance of Fr. Srimal Priyanga sdb, Principal and Administrator, he has been able to learn by doing as he works with different machines.

Fr. Srimal was on the look out for an instructor to teach welding to the prison inmates and one morning asked George if he was interested. Inspired by the example of Don Bosco, who cared for prisoners, he made his decision and gave Fr. Srimal a positive answer the next morning. He ran a three-month course for prisoners and is now running a weekly class

to invest more of my time and effort into making bracelets with my sister Rozana, and together we ventured into making a stall at the biggest Youth Festival of the year, which was called Ghema Gee’s.”

“As a youth, I hope to set an example for other youths by encouraging them to invest their time and effort into what they do best and what they are most talented at. It is only practice that will enable one to get better and refine one’s work.”

“It will also help to keep youth occupied and more importantly, keep them off the streets.

Consequently there will be a reduction of illegal activities such as drinking, smoking marijuana and stealing. Youth in the Solomon Islands have a lot of undiscovered talent, and I believe they will benefit if they invest in their talents. It may be a risk, but things always come as lessons or blessings, so if you don’t do well then it will be a great lesson to learn from, but if you succeed then you will be greatly blessed.”

in welding for the Juvenile youngsters.

“The prisoners enjoy the experience and learn a lot of values as well,” said George.

He is proud to share his skills and all that he has learnt with the youngsters. “Prison is not a nice place to be in. It is small and the inmates are confined to a limited space,” says George. “Stay free from problems, enjoy your life outside and focus on your goals for your future and your family,” is his advice to the youth of Solomon Islands.

In the years ahead George plans to collect some capital and then organise and run his own carpentry and welding business.

careers

KONAI :The man behind those huge rubbish bins

W

ELDING is to join pieces of metal together by heating their edges and pressing them together.

Many people have been qualified in welding through a schooling process where they graduate with certificates before being qualified to hold top positions in companies they work for.

But when meeting 48 year old James Konai, his story in how he became the leading arc welder at the Public Works and Transport Division at Honiara City Council (HCC) is a different journey.

Arc welding is a style of welding that uses a welding power supply to create an arc between an electrode and the base material to melt the metals at the welding point.

Unlike many, James did not attend any formal welding school to become a qualified arc welder.

Born in Rufoki village at Fataleka North West Malaita, James is the third born of seven children. He never completed any higher level of education, James only reached grade six.

“After completing grade six at Rufoki Primary School in 1983, I could not continue on to a higher education level because of lack of school fees. Therefore, I started looking for job opportunities at a very young age,” says James.

At the age of 16, he travelled to Honiara to look for work. He tried a few different jobs over the years, including as a meter controller and a security officer, until 1995 when he decided to seek something better.

“I found another casual job with a welding company at Ranandi called R and R Engineering Company. It was during my years at Rand R Company that I started doing

arc welding just from looking and learning.

I discovered that I had a talent in welding because I knew how to be creative in doing it.”

“At one point, R and R management decided to send me along with thirty other men (Casual workers) for a welding test at the Workshop under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID).”

“Out of thirty men, only ten of us were recognised as capable welders. This earned me a ‘recommendation certificate for arc welding’,” says James.

“

I could not continue

on to a higher education

“

By Barnabas Manebona

level because of lack of school fees.

Mr Konai continued working as a welder until the year 2000, when ethnic tension in the Solomon Islands broke out.“Like many other Solomon Islanders, I fled for safety to my then wife’s province at Ngella, Central Province,” says James.

In 2003, after the ethnic tension, Mr.Konai decided to return to Honiara. He secured a job as a security officer at Woodford for five years and in 2010, he found another job as a security officer at the HCC, department of Public Works and Transport division.

At their division’s workshop James assisted a former lead welder on an iron ladder ordered by the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (S.I.E.A). The division’s manager noticed his unique skill. He saw James’s welding was fine, neat, creative and looked professional in how he handled the welding machine.

After telling the manager of his history with welding, the manager recommended him to be the leading welding worker in the Public Works and Transport Division.

Today, James Konai says he has successfully achieved what he was searching for through his life which is to earn a stable and permanent job. He is now a permanent working officer and at the top position of what he loves doing best.

He welds rubbish bins, boom gates, fences and broken spare parts of HCC workshop trucks for the Public Works and Transport Division at HCC. The big yellow and green painted four cornered rubbish drums distributed around town by HCC is a classic example of James’s achievement. It is from James’ welding skills as an arc welder that the public get to be provided with these rubbish bins.

“My journey to today is a challenging experience”, says James. “After all these years of struggle, the Lord is to be thanked for where I am today and I also thank HCC management for everything to do with my work,” says the content welder.

“Though I did not get the chance to reach higher levels of school to earn me a job certificate, I still got the chance in earning a permanent and stable job,” said James.

“Working in the workshop here at HCC has given me opportunities a less educated person could receive. I don’t know of what the future brings, but I am satisfied and happy for what I am currently contributing towards servicing the public within the city,” says James.

Recently he completed an order for rubbish bins by S.I.E.A. and he encourages more companies within the city to also order rubbish bins from the Works and Transport Division at HCC. Having these bins will help keep our city environment cleaner, healthier and beautiful.

Barnabas Manebona is a 27 year old SINU Journalism student from Central Province. He loves listening to music and reading. He wants to bring positive change to society and the nation through writing.

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 23

community care

Giving Back To A number of young people in Choiseul are completing community service as part They have been cleaning up the environment, helping vulnerable people in the in community based resource management. It can be challenging giving up your beneficial to themselves.

Fiona Pitavoqa, 18 from Susuka village Photo: Shermaine Kwakwala

Fiona helped an elderly lady in her village by washing and sweeping the compound. She says completing this work made her happy. “At first I was shy to do community service alone, I like working with the team so that others can tell me what to do next. Throughout the weeks I started to get comfortable working alone and know what to do next without waiting for others to tell me what to do,” Fiona says.

“I feel that this community service helps me to build my confidence; I learn new ideas from other youths in my community and from Youth@Work.”

Bowman Pitasua, 24 from Susuka village Photo: Shermaine Kwakwala

Bowman contributed to community based resource management (CBRM) by planting mangroves along the coast.

He said CBRM was important for his community to keep the beach clean and prevent coastal erosion.

“This helps me to gain extra knowledge and skills that are helpful for my future career,” he says.

“I have never been involved in such activities before, but I learned a lot through this Youth@Work program.”

“I am happy with this program. Community service keeps me busy so I don’t get involved with other activities that may cause problems.”

24 YOSI Issue 02 2015

community care

The Community

of the Youth@Work Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP).

community, assisting in food security and agro-forestry programs and taking part time to help the community, but these youths have found it rewarding and

Desmond Celeb, 24 from Tangibangara Photo: Rhelsta Sore

Desmond led a team of three youths to help elderly people with special needs in their community. “We cut timber and built their house,” he explains.

“It was helpful for me as a youth who graduated from Batuna vocational school and also helpful for them.”

“At first I wasn’t sure about community service, but this program is slowly changing my perspective as I get more involved with what I am good at: building and construction.”

“I felt very good and happy when people started to complement and praise the work I had done for the community.”

He is now helping to build school houses and other construction jobs to earn an income for his family.

“It has been a challenge for me to do this community service, but I am so blessed to be part of their stories in life. Once I helped a widow to repair her leaked house,

she said that she was so happy and felt as if we youths care for her.”

“Now I find many doors open to me because of what I have done for the community through community service.”

Daniel Laeva, 21 from Taro Photo: Raywin Taroaniara

Daniel picked up empty plastic bottles, tins and betel-nut husks in his community.

“I was shy to do community service in public but as I continue throughout the weeks I gain more confidence and also enjoy it,” he reveals.

“I made new friends in Taro and also from other nearby communities. This keeps me busy from roaming around the town doing nothing.”

“I realise the attitude of not throwing rubbish in proper bins is not right.”

“This has opened new opportunities and plans and I am looking forward to what will come after this program.”

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 25

culture

IU SAVE TU?

Thank you to Solomon Islands National Museum and Butterfly World Solomon Islands for contributing facts to Iu Save Tu

Choiseul was first named “San Marcos” by Explorer Mendana, when he sighted it on Saint Mark’s day.

200 years later, Explorer Bougainville named it “Choiseul” after Étienne François de Choiseul, a statesman in France in 1700s. Its original name is Lauru.

Étienne François de Choiseul View from Mount Popomaneseu Photo: David Inabinet

Mount Popomaneseu is the highest mountain in the Solomon Islands at 2,335 metres (7,661 ft). It is actually higher than Blue Mountain peak, the highest mountain in Jamaica

The Spaniards believed in the Inca stories of islands with great riches of gold; King Solomon’s gold and believed that Solomon Island is one of them.

1998 Academy Award Winning Motion Picture “The Thin Red Line” is based on the World War 2 battle of Mount Austen, Solomon Islands. Some of the scenes are also shot in the Solomon Islands. You can also hear the local All Saints Church Choir in the film’s Soundtrack

Ma’asina Rule Movement began in Are’Are, Malaita in 1944. “Ma’asina” means “brotherhood and sister relationship”.

Napoleon Bonaparte applied to join Captain La Perouse’s crew for his voyage around the world, but was not chosen for the voyage list and remained behind in France. Had he been chosen, he would have been killed in Vanikoro, Santa Cruz.

There are 197 different species of butterflies in Solomon Islands, with the most in Isabel, Choiseul and Shortland Islands.

26 YOSI Issue 02 2015

Travel

Australian High Commissioner and team go Wakabaot lo Weathercoast “It was great to see that YOSI’s first publication immediately connected with the youth of Solomon Islands,” says Second Secretary Ben O’Reilly.

“To have kids flick through the magazine and read the headlines with jubilation highlighted the positive influence the YOSI magazine will have on Solomon Islands youth.”

Along the way the High Commission team learned that the people of the The Australian High Commission team with guides and porters near Gold Ridge after completing Weathercoast are adept at the walk living with the challenges of nature and remoteness every day. ustralian High There they met some incredible Australian High Commissioner Commissioner Andrew young people living very different Andrew Byrne says they learned Byrne went Wakabaot lo lives to the youth in Honiara. that the people of the Weathercoast Weathercoast recently and met with In Purakike, Niu Areata, Komovalu, and Central Guadalcanal are strong, young people preserving traditional Chimialava and Nanala they learned determined and resilient. custom on the Weathercoast. that the traditional culture of “In every community we visited, The four-day walk was an Guadalcanal is alive and well. Young we saw people working hard to opportunity to learn more about the people are taught to be custodians survive and prosper in very isolated, people of the Weathercoast and the of traditional culture and custom challenging places. And we were challenges they face. and were front and centre of every humbled by the efforts of our Guale Accompanied by his wife, Dawn warrior welcome and community guides and hosts to keep us safe and Bennett and colleagues Ben O’Reilly, performance. They showed the comfortable,” he says.

Tanya Morjanoff and WO Gary Fuss, outsiders the true beauty of Guale “I would like to thank all the they started in Marau before making culture. people we met along our journey their way through Purakike, Niu YOSI magazines were handed out for welcoming us into their Areata, Kopiu, Komovalu, Kuma, at every village, connecting youth communities, sharing their culture Chimialava and Nanala. to the modern world and sharing and giving us a glimpse into their stories from around Solomon daily lives.”

Islands.

A

HE Andrew Byrne and Dawn Bennett receive a warriors’ welcome

Tanya Morjanoff and Dawn Bennett with students at Kopiu Seventh Day Adventist Community High School

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 27

health

ASK YOSI: HEALTH Got a question for YOSI? Email yosi@youth-at-work.org

How do I know if I have an eye problem and if I do, what should I do about it?

If you have signs and symptoms of an eye problem such as: • Red eye • Painful eye • Blurry vision • Pus discharge from the eyes • Watery eyes • Near reading problem • Other things where the eye is not functioning normally You should seek medical attention or go to the eye clinic to get help. Speaking to someone who knows about eye care, such as staff from the eye clinic is best.

Lorana Lekezoto, Eye Nurse, Eye Department, National Referral Hospital

I want to quit smoking. Where do I start?

Start your stop smoking plan with START

Set a quit date say within the next 1-2 weeks so that you have enough time to prepare without losing your motivation to quit.

Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you plan to quit and tell them you need their support and encouragement to stop.

Anticipate and plan for the challenges you will face while quitting, such as nicotine withdrawal, cigarette cravings and tempting situations.

Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home.

Talk to your doctor about quitting or get advice from your local pharmacist on what product (nicotine lozenges or nicotine gum) are available over the counter at your local pharmacy Jayms W Faneagalo,Pharmacist,National Referral Hospital

I want a flat stomach, how can I do this?

Avoid sugary, fatty and processed foods. In digestion, sugary food is broken down to glucose for energy but when there is excessive glucose in the blood stream it gets stored as fat. This fat is reserved where it is needed however the excess accumulates in the stomach causing pot belly. Therefore eating healthy food such as fruits, grains, nuts and vegetables will be digested easily and won’t be stored as fat.

Anita Maepioh, Nurse Educator, O&G Department, NRH How can I keep my skin healthy and free from diseases and infections?

Regular washing of the body minimises bacteria so that diseases and infection won’t have avenue to grow.

Eating the right food which is food grown in our gardens also helps protect our skin. And drinking lots of water will triple the benefits in keeping our skin healthy and free of diseases.

Anita Maepioh, Nurse Educator, O&G Department, NRH

What’s an easy way to exercise enough so I don’t put on weight and stay healthy?

A 30 minute walk every day is the simplest means of exercise yet helps you keep fit and healthy. Simply walking for that long helps your blood circulation thus inhibiting coagulation of blood vessels, moreover can burn fat deposits incurred during the day.

Anita Maepioh, Nurse Educator, O&G Department,NRH

WHAT ARE STIs? Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that can be passed from one person to another during sex. You can get an STI from vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Some common STIs are caused by bacteria which include syphilis, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia – these can be cured with a course of antibiotics. STIs can also be caused by viruses such as genital herpes, genital warts, HIV – these cannot be cured.

Signs of STIs • Itching or pain in or around the penis, vagina or anus • Yellow or white fluid or clear fluid from the penis • Swelling around the groin area • Sores, blisters or lumps around the penis, vagina, anus • Rashes on the hands, feet or chest • Pain when pissing • Sore throat

STIs must be treated • If you think you might have an STI, go to a hospital or health clinic for testing and treatment.

• Do not have sex again until the STI has been treated.

• If you have an STI, your sexual partners should also get treatment.

HIV/STI unit, Ministry of Health and Medical Services

28 YOSI Issue 02 2015

PREVENTION-SAFE SEX STOPS STIs • Safe sex is any sexual activity where blood, semen and vaginal fluid do not pass from one person to another.

• Correctly using a condom for vaginal, anal and oral sex.

• Sex where blood, semen and vaginal fluid do not pass from one person to another is masturbation, rubbing or kissing.

special feature: Youth create social change

YOUTH BEGIN TO CREATE SOCIAL CHANGE Recently around 30 youths were able to participate in a week-long workshop facilitated by Father Ambrose Pereira aimed at creating social change through participatory communication. The participants identified issues affecting their lives and explored these issues through problem and solution trees. Once they had grasped a thorough understanding of the issues, the youth created photo stories and short video clips that demonstrated their understanding.

One participant, Walasi George Kiriau shares his insights from the program here:

A

T the recent participatory media program ‘Share and Inspire’ members reflected on the important themes of discipline, punctuality and respect.

The attitude of ‘discipline’ is something that youth need to develop and demonstrate. Living this value will bring credibility to youth and enable them to be successful in what they do. An example highlighted was that of responding to calls from friends who disrupt work or study commitments and invite others to spend time in unnecessary relaxation. This often results in poor judgment, misbehavior, lack of commitment and a waste of time and resources.

It is discipline that focuses one on faithfulness, good decision making and strong leadership, builds up personal attitudes and binds young people and communities together.

It is crucial to success in our human lives. Perhaps, we youth can let discipline ring out loud and clear and this message sent out will create social change within families, communities and our government.

Secondly, ‘punctuality’ was emphasised as crucial to create social change. Dramatising a scene and filming its effect and response to work ethics has set us thinking and given us sufficient realisation of the

need for personal responsibility and the transparent performance of our duty.

Finally, the last two groups dwelt on respect and friendship as factors necessary to create social change in our communities. Respect sums up ‘reason, religion and rapport’.

It addresses the relationship with ourselves, our God and with others.

It is this shared responsibility that recognises gender equality, shared responsibility and gives us fairness in social dealings. True friendship will respect and always desire the good and wellbeing of persons, groups, families and communities.

Enriched by the new insights on

‘Social Change’ we now realise that we can be agents of social change and communicate our thoughts, reflections and values through creative writing, photo stories and video films.

Walasi George Kiriau, 25 Walasi is from North East Malaita.

He spends his time reading, writing and learning. His passion is working with and writing about youth.

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 29

arts & entertainment

YOUTH OF SOLOMON ISLANDS 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:

“

I’m on my way to clean my mother’s grave. If she is looking down now, I hope she is smiling, & I hope I made her proud.

“

”

I want to be a tourism officer when I finish school. However, I must have one heart and mind in my future occupation.

“

”

I think it’s time schools in our country put music in the curriculum.

I think it will help to bring the music industry back to life.

”

30 YOSI Issue 02 2015

“

I am a theatre actor in an all womens group called “Stages of Change”.

If I was embarrassed to wear this custom costume I wouldn’t have come this far in achieving my dream.

“

We should have more small business courses for young people in Solomon Islands, let them know that they can be their own bosses.

”

“

I had these cool sea shells at home and thought I can make use of their beauty, so I braided it into my hair.

”

”

CREATIVE CORNER

creative corner

LOVE HURTS BY LIANNE SAOKWAI

P

ACING here and there, hitting and kicking the wall, Peter couldn’t do anything but was haunted by regrets and memories of Mary.

A year ago, Mary set off to Twilight Café. It was her favourite spot; where she usually spent her lunch hours.

Mary was a shy but smart and intelligent 17 year old girl.She was also beautiful, with a lean body, cute face and long, soft blond hair. She was working as a hotel receptionist while waiting for her form 5 results.

“Hi, how’s ya day beauty?”

Jane greeted. Jane worked as a part time waitress. She was Mary’s classmate and her best girlfriend.

“Oh Jane, my day’s not so bright,” Mary replied. Mary then scanned the room for an unoccupied table. “O. M. G! Jane I am taking back my words.”

“What?!” Jane said puzzled.

“Aww! He’s so cute,” Mary whispered.

“Who?” Jane asked.

“Far left, oh if only he’s my guardian angel,” Mary said dreamingly. Jane hit Mary’shand.

“Stop it! He’s mine, now off you go find a table for you, here’s your food.” They both laughed.

Meanwhile, Mary knew nothing but he was eyeing her, the moment she entered the café. Sitting down at the far left, he couldn’t wait for her to leave the café, so he could ask for her mobile number.

He was so handsome, tall, with black Polynesian hair and a well built, lean body.

Moreover, his smile spoke the language of a girl’s heart. His name was Peter; a 23 year old university student.

Fifteen minutes later, Mary bid Jane goodbye and walked out of the café. Outside the

café, someone tapped her shoulder; she turned and couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Hi,” Peter said with a smile.

“Arr... arr... umm... hi,” she replied nervously.

“Going somewhere?” he asked.

“Yeah, to my work place,” Mary replied.

“Can I give you a ride?” Peter asked.

“Umm nah, it’s okay,” she replied.

“Please?” Peter begged.

“Okay,” Mary agreed lazily.

Peter then gave her a lift in his newly bought tint car. On the way, Peter introduced himself and Mary did exactly the same. Peter even told some jokes and they both laughed.

They continued chatting, and soon Mary was falling deeply in love. As for Peter; he had fallen in love at first sight.

A week later, Peter phoned Mary and said, “Mary, I couldn’t keep this to myself anymore, I need to tell you something.”

“What is it?” Mary asked curiously.

“I am in love with you,” Peter replied.

Mary couldn’t believe her ears. She paused, sat still and couldn’t even blink her eyes but deep inside she was excited for he was also the boy of her dreams for the past days. “Mary will you be my girlfriend?” Peter asked. Deep inside, he hoped for a yes.

“But you’re too handsome, don’t you have a pretty someone?” Mary asked.

“Hey come on...I don’t have any that’s why I am asking you,” Peter replied.

“Umm... okay but can I ask you something, should I trust you?” Mary asked, for she had never been in love and didn’t want to be hurt by love as well.

“Yes! Please trust me, I love

you and promise to take and keep you as my only sweetheart,” Peter replied convincingly.

A year later, they were still in a romantic relationship with each other, although both were busy with their studies.

They hadn’t forgotten their love for each other and always spared extra hours to spend quality time together. Peter usually took Mary out for picnics, shopping, car rides and both loved taking crazy snap shots of each other. They cherished each other.

On the other hand Mary loved spending time at home doing house chores and spending time with her friends chatting.

As for Peter he loved chilling with his friends and going out at weekends to the pup for a glass of beer. Despite these differences, Mary loved Peter dearly, just as a moon that shines bright and never dims.

One cold night, Mary cuddled her pillow and smiled. At the back of her mind, she was recalling her precious time spent with Peter. It was like a dream come true. Then her phone rang. “Hello?” Mary answered.

“Yes, hi,” a girl replied.

“Are you Peter’s girlfriend?” asked the girl.

“Yes,” Mary replied.

“Good! Aha!” the girl laughed mockingly.

“Who are you?” Mary asked.

“Aha! I was hoping for you to ask, I am the mother of Peter’s unborn child,” replied the girl.

“What? But…” Mary cried.

“Beep, beep...” goes the phone.

Mary couldn’t wait; she buzzed Peter and asked if it was true. It didn’t take long for her to know the truth.

Peter couldn’t say much for he was too guilty. All he could say was it was just a mistake,

he was too drunk and couldn’t handle himself and he didn’t love the girl but Mary instead.

This couldn’t be, Peter was her heart, she loved him, and he even showed her what love is, made her feel and taste love. He was the only one that lifted her off the ground and put her in the sky. But...

WHY? WHY? Mary cried and cried. But no tonnes of tears could ever mend broken glass. Nothing mattered now, for the one she loved and trusted had destroyed their castle of love.

Mary couldn’t think of another solution. Love hurts, love is blind and these ripped her heart. Therefore, she took a pen and wrote a note. “I died the day I found LOVE; I died the day LOVE found me.”

Then she did what she never dreamt off. She instantly wiped off her dreams, her future and left only sweet and bitter memories.

A day after, Peter learnt of what had happened. He yelped and screamed, if only he could rewind the clock. Somehow, it was too little, too late now.

There was nothing he could do now to turn the world right and bring back his Mary.

Mary was now a footprint in his heart.

Lianne Saokwai, 18 Lianne is from Malaita and is a year twelve student at Bishop Epalle Catholic School. In her free time she likes reading, watching documentaries, imagining and writing stories and poems. She dreams of being an inspiring writer.

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 31

creative corner

SHORT STORIES by Eddie Wagiro friends in solomon islands with light Good morning my friends!

Good morning Sir! Mr Star met his friend Mr Sun in the International Terminal Henderson and asked him, where is our friend Mr Moon?

Oh, he already boarded Air Niuguini and will arrive here at 1am today.

Why are you here?

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister requested us to come and serve here for three years. What is the main purpose to be here in the country of Solomon Islands?

To serve and help the country with power

and to introduce the system of solar panels in the country with SIEA. What time will you start doing your job?

This morning, I arrived at 4am so I need one hour to rest and then I will start working from 6am to 6pm in the evening.

I was spending time with our friends, other stars around the world. Where do you rent your daily services in this country? I rent in Honiara Hotel close to see the games at Lawson Tama some time when fine. What about our friend Mr Moon, where do you think he can rent?

I think he should rent in King Solomon Hotel to assist me with his duties in the night with all the dancers during the dance at night.

Thank you Mr Sun for all your effort in participation with all Solomon Islanders for the light. I hope that we will enjoy together and assist the country with the light. To promote the living of people we turn to the light. We need to change the people with new skills in dealing with light. Our country will improve in new technological life for we together can enjoy and beautify the life.

leading hand in community There was a leader in the community whose name was Waogoro, the head of the island. He introduced his rules properly in the community. People were appreciated and participated with his rules, because he complied with all the community leaders as a whole. Waogoro the head did his rules properly and also worked together with community during the programmes. All the community leaders had simple ideas which created discussion with the head of community.

Waogoro was changing the community by disputing intermarriage system with the island. He stated that if anyone didn’t comply with the rules he or she would be punished for that. Waogoro

also organised everyone into four tribes and separated them. All the people in the island were happy, they enjoyed their responsibilities of their areas, making their respective livings.

The community leaders were satisfied with the partnership under Waogoro’s rule. They made trades and exchanged food supplies. Waogoro also selected some members in the community and empowered them to assist in the programmes. Even some Islanders admired the system organised by the community. When Waogoro strongly applied his rules for the community there was no problem that arose. Everyone enjoyed and felt satisfied in their cultural

living. There was no stealing or fighting and everything flowed well. Waogoro made good relationships with everyone.

Eddie Wagiro, 24 Eddie is from Santa Catalina and Makira Ulawa. He is interested in poetry and writing stories.

poems Marijuana No! No! No! Please! Please! Please!

Don’t come any closer Me not a healer Me no solution to ya pain I give ya no wealth gain Don’t touch me Don’t love me I destroy future I bring rapture I bring no laughter I bring no hope I bring a torn rope

I bring no happiness I bring no light for tomorrow I am a first degree criminal Well known for driving people insane I am no good but harm Who am I? Who am I? Aha! I am Marijuana the worst nightmare

32 YOSI Issue 02 2015

BY

LIANNE

Doom love You come to me today Opt to love me each day Umbrage me at the fine weather Torn my trust N me no more better Hurt lost in dusk doom love Sadly silently sweetheart turns into swiftly flying dove

SAOKWAI

creative corner

poems Young Youths Unique creatures that love to explore the world Roam the streets as there is nothing to hold on to Flexible, lovable, frenemies, which are intelligently bold Wherever you are you’ll find them there Can be of different colors, don’t you share Love to be loved and Hate to be hated Friendship does really matter So as relationships Have different races to mingle with Emotions can be a problem But as the wind blows by it cools one heart beat Gently it takes time regaining the heat Preciously the most dramatic stage in life And the most fantastic period of fun and run.

The new birth Sit and look up on the starless night While the fresh breeze rushed past my face Waiting and wandering, for the next few minutes The weight is now upon my shoulders Realising no one can carry it from me Knowing that in the seconds or so Comes to light The first breath Tick- tock goes the clock As the wind makes its way down to meet the salt water Out comes the dim of light I hardly know who she is I never met her before

Said so...

Because all your friends are doing it So you have to?

I don’t bet on my regrets To keep you out of the game But fight for the luck To keep you along the track Holding your hand with one hand And another to point out the star I will not let go I have to remind you That yes! It isn’t easy Being fit into standards I don’t blame you You were only a child

Mr Storm S- Swallowed a particular place as it came with T- Trembling sound of thunders scaring people away it, O-Originates a new face of the earth with very fierce wind and rain.

R-Regardless of the destruction it causes to the environment it had left M-Many lives and properties at threat by this violent and cruel monster known as Mr. Storm.

Hilarina Lelea, 18 Hilarina is from Guadalcanal.

She is doing her F6 at BECS. She loves to write poems and short stories.

But she comes out simple Barely dressed in cotton or whirly wool She humbly introduces herself into the line of trees Tears of joy roll down my eyes Just then the truth reveals Comes the first breath I’m longing for the first touch of life Thirty lights and darkness pass For me drought season comes to end Days dash by, goose bumps creep all over me Hands are heavy and shaky The hands reach out itself for the first time Eyes met, I can hear my heart beat

When life came crushing upon you But I don’t want to be that person Who stands by and watch you fall Imitation is sometimes deceitful Please shun the hasty trails Don’t fall for it It doesn’t prove You to be anybody You will always be that person I look out for and protect I will say, Yes I’ve done that And am still me When you fall don’t forget To stand and walk

Boom Boom Boom!!!

As I gaze into her sparkling eyes for the first time The moment is just perfect I know the love between us is real For this is not an illusion But the first breath From a new birth...

Brown Thompson Eroi, 24 Brown is from Malaita Province. He is interested in meeting new people and reading.

When you cry Don’t forget to, Wipe your tears Don’t apologize for being good It’s ok to feel that way Broken hearts can be eased With an apology and a thanks I don’t promise to make this easier But I promise to look out for you Raywin Taroaniara, 23 Raywin is from Temotu Province. She likes listening to spoken words poetry and creative writing. She completed her studies in 2014.

Issue 02 2015 YOSI 33

creative corner

“pride blo kan

photography competition

1st

Zahiyd Namo, 25

Zahiyd took this photo of his younger brother in Tulagi, Central Province. He has been interested in photography since 2012 and likes to take photos of people, events and nature.

Thank you to everyone who entered the compe the quality of the photos We encourage all young photographers to kee to be published in YOSI to help you gain expe photographs to accompany YOSI stor

8

2nd,

e, 2 a P a i Nasc

34 YOSI Issue 02 2015

3rd, Nascia

Pae, 28

creative corner

ndere bloumi�

competition winners

Pae, a i c s a N , h t 4

28

5th, Kenny K

ama, 26

etition. We received many submissions and s was extremely high. ep taking photographs and submitting them erience and exposure. If you’d like to take ries email yosi@youth-at-work.org.

6th, Philip J

erry, 18

7th, Alice H

ou, 17 Issue 02 2015 YOSI 35