ITS a historical moment for Alynath Kindy Centre to host guests from the Australian Baptist Church recently.
The Australians initiated the centre which now serves its three years of service in the country.
The kindy centre is located along Gilbert Camp area, East Honiara.
As such the centre was able to showcase to the guests the success of their support to the centre.
A statement from the founders Mr Nathan and Mrs Aly Cleasby said they see that it is a very important need to have the centre at Kwaio Valley community.
“In this community we see a lot of kids just enjoy playing with peers and never thought of going to school, so we came up with the vision that these children need a kindy centre that is closer for them to start their education, and we are grateful to see the seed we plant turns into fruition,” they said.
“During our visitation back in 2012/2013, we see that it is of great need to have the kindy centre established, and to see that the centre becomes recognised to the responsible authorities and that is our wish,” they expressed.
In a statement from the kindy centre supervisor Mrs Rose Willie Leupo, she said its time for parents to encourage their kids of the importance of education because now they have a centre in their community.
“Today marks a new history and a blessed moment for our community to have partnership with such wonderful people from Australia who offer financial support that leads to the establishment of the centre,” she said.
“Actually, Alynath Kindy Centre enrolls around 60 children and employs four staff prior in its establishment, as well as the centre is privilege to have trainees sent by the South Pacific Community Program (SPC) on a termly basis to assist the school voluntarily,” She said.
“We face challenges that sometimes our teachers get paid for months but because the shared goal and vision in ensuring that the centre runs smoothly, they faithful in attending their classes,” Rose expressed.
Honiara City Council (HCC) ECE Education Officer Agatta Siota said the authority only depend on the plans set by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources.
“Some Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres in around the Honiara City Council boundary run by communities and some are under other education authorities,” she said.
“At the moment the authority still waits for directives from the Ministry of Education concerning ECE Centres that needs to register,” Ms Siota said.
The chairman of the kindy centre John Amelea said this community is privilege to have such wonderful opportunity to have qualified teachers and volunteers from Australia who supports the newly born kindy centre.
“It is a time for us parents of Kwaio Valley community to really value education as part of our life,” Mr Amelea said.
“We must educate our children because in the bible, the book of Genesis tells that in the beginning God create the heaven and the earth and separate light from the darkness through which means light represents education,” he expressed.
Meanwhile parents and leaders of Kwaio Valley community appealed that all ECE Centres around the country should be recognised by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources.
By Chrishapert Ha’arabe
