Addressing quests and SISA members during a late Independence celebration Sunday night, SISA president, Laban Trevor Honimae said “the SISA executive will continue to make sure that our students are protected and enjoy a harmonious time here at USP.
The executive will ensure that USP is aware of the situations affecting the Solomon Islands students through USPSA Laucala Campus with regards to accommodation, health, education and security.”
Speaking on the areas that his executive is very concerned about, Mr Honimae said Solomon Islands students in Fiji are facing serious accommodation challenges.
The SISA president revealed that its students are forced to rent very expensive accommodation.
The monthly rent is far more expensive than their current allowance cannot meet.
He said due to the soaring cost of housing for students, many resort to low cost houses which are unhealthy and unsecure which left students vulnerable to burglary.
In almost every case an average of 10 students share a two or three bedroom apartment or flat.
He explained that this year, the number of Solomon Islanders renting outside the campus is 503 out of 675 students who are officially registered.
The president highlighted that an impediment his committee had to put up with upon assuming official responsibility was the lack of resources including finance, a catalyst much needed to aid SISA programs and activities.
Mr Honimae admits that this is the reason why SISA programs and the independence activity had to accept a low key profile.
“This year, the association through its executive and council has not achieved many of its plans and activities due to the limited funds that we have. We have only managed to organize sports during the mid-semester break,”.
The executive had to step in to assist almost 10 students who have lost their immediate family members this semester.
A number of students were sick and had to undergo medical surgery while about five were admitted and discharged.
Overall, the president acknowledged the different cultural groups and their leaders for cooperating with his executive.
SISA was especially pleased with the manner in which the Independence taskforce committee was able to put together a sound program amidst all odds.
This year’s independence celebration was highlighted with sports activities from the 6th to the 8th of July.
The climax of the independence celebration was a formal program on Sunday 11th July whom Rex Horoi, a Solomon Islander who is the executive director of FSPI was the guest of honor.
The formal program ended with the display of raw cultural talents by our students studying in Fiji.
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