The programme was organised in a fashion that incorporates formal practical pathfindering, fun and raising money to help the club.
These activities included official opening and closing drills; unit games on speed knots relay; balancing performances; inspirational talks; quizzes; food sales and volleyball
games.
The highlight of the event was a handover of a cheque for $500 as part of the ongoing sponsorship deal from Lata Motel for the pathfinders Cleanerthon.
The young people since last Tuesday cleaned up the central part of Lata Town in preparation for the July 7 Independence Day celebrations.
The club did not tag a prize towards the cleanerthon.
Lata Motel sponsored from their hearts because of what the young people were inspired to contribute to the province.
The main stage and surrounding spaces are now cleaner and attractive.
The day was eventful and blessed by fine weather with the young and adults alike enjoying the activities.
The club was thankful that a number of visiting people added significance to the program.
Amongst the visitors are: Jerry Pakivai, short term consultant from Ministry of Education; Percy from Correctional Services; Alick Maemae, Solomon Islands International soccer player; Jeffrey Teava, a former MP for Vattu Constituency and crew members of Solfish 2 on stop over from outer islands and enroute to Honiara.
Mr Pakivai is a well known figure in the pathfinder circle.
He was a former educationist and is currently on a 3 weeks consultancy assignment with the Ministry of Education.
He taught the boys a number of balancing skills as wells as drills practices.
The other local celebrity who toured the compound is the Hekari ace striker, Alick
Maemae.
He also contributed to the fundraising through purchase of food for a team of fans and friends.
Other visitors like crew members of Solfish 2 formed the Western Isles team that participated in the volleyball competitions.
This fun day is part of the program called Nella 4 Vila Project 2010 which has 3 main objectives:
1) provide community service to the township;
(2) create a social environment for community interactions,
3) raise funds for the club towards the upcoming camporee in Vanuatu.
The emphasis is on community building and participation.
This is particularly important for a small town like Lata where young people
need to develop a sense of belonging and ownership towards the environment which they live.
The club believes that by involving young people at an early age on community service, they will be responsible citizens in the years ahead.
The club is planning to hold an awareness program in Lata Town to
educate the residents about what pathfindering is about and the benefits of providing such a program to different age groups.
This is essential because of the possibility for misconceptions by members of
the community.
Misconceptions can be in areas of kid’s involvement in community projects or just engaging religious groups on tasks that are traditionally assigned to the provincial government.
Misconception is also normal in a setting where the involvement of voluntary community or faith based organisations in civil duties is not so common.
The Nella 4 Villa Project is already achieving its aim as not purely a money raising scheme but giving back a little bit of time and effort to the provincial government and thus saving resources to be employed in other areas of service delivery.
It also provides an avenue for social interaction between the diverse groups of people in the community.
The general tone and reactions from the public is rather encouraging and the project is set to continue and be a bench mark for youth development in Temotu Province.
The Nella Pathfinder Club thanked all pathfinders, parents and supporters who put in a lot of efforts to assist the club in this programme.
Special appreciation is extended to Bernie Galgo of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP), management of Lata Motel, Tek East, JBL, and Cruz Carpet.
Finally awii, awe and awis pine to all volley teams; some of them include Maekaia, Masi, Argentina, PGSP, Western Isles, Remix and Olos.
By Nella Pathfinder Communications
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