A group of young people from Guadalcanal have successfully completed a two-week Leadership and Business Management training held in Auki, Malaita Province, last week.
The participants came from the Antioch, Kumukama, and Mataruka communities in Central Guadalcanal Constituency.
They joined youth representatives from Kwai Island, Namosalabe, and Oibola in Malaita for the program, delivered under the Youth Economic and Climate Action (YECA) Project.
The YECA Project aims to support the economic empowerment of young people while addressing climate-related challenges affecting youths—particularly young women.
During the two-week training, participants covered key areas including:
– Business management
– Leadership and governance
– Proposal writing
– Mindset transformation
For many of the Guadalcanal youths, it was their first-ever visit to Malaita Province.
Guadalcanal Youth Council Secretary, Reminah Willie, acknowledged the YECA Project for creating an opportunity to bring youths from both provinces together.
She said the training equipped the participants with important skills in leadership, business management, and basic administration.
“I see this making a great impact on our youths, giving them the chance to share and learn alongside youths in Malaita,” Ms Willie said.
“Our youths really enjoyed coming here and learning from their peers in Malaita.”
One participant, Ivory Solomate from Mataruka, said being in Auki and sharing experiences with Malaitan youths was a joyful and memorable experience.
She was particularly impressed by the well-organised welcome ceremony held at the Auki wharf upon their arrival.
“They welcomed us with garlands and escorted us to the waiting bus. It was impressive to see how organised the Malaita youths were,” she said.
Solomate added that the training helped her learn more about the diverse community backgrounds and lifestyles of her peers from Malaita.
Malaita participant Cathy Mafane of Kwai Island in Malaita said the training provided her with valuable knowledge on leadership and business management.
She said it was a great experience to meet youths from Guadalcanal, share differences, and learn from one another.
YECA Project is funded by the European Union (EU) in partnership with Plan International.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Auki, Solomon Star
