5 November 2014
SARANGA COMMUNITY OPENS NEW LEARNING CENTRE WITH SUPPORT FROM AUSTRALIA
Last week the Australian High Commission was pleased to celebrate the official opening of the Saranga Community Learning Centre.
The new centre, funded by the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), gives much needed training opportunities in building, carpentry and joinery to community members. It will help meet demand for skilled labour in the growing community of North West Guadalcanal.
The Australian High Commissioner, Andrew Byrne, applauded the Saranga community for working with the Australian government to deliver education opportunities and contribute to local development.
“Trades training is critical in a growing country like Solomon Islands. The Saranga Learning Centre shows that it’s possible to bridge the skills-gap and provide new income generating opportunities to local families,” said High Commissioner Byrne.
“With the help of partners like the Australian High Commission, SWIM Solomon Islands and Australian People for Health, Education and Development, the Saranga community has done an exceptional job in bringing this centre to life.”
Project coordinator Maxwell Ham thanked Australia for its support and outlined the need to share knowledge and skills with young people.
“The learning centre will ensure that young people have the opportunity to gain extra skills and knowledge to equip them for formal training and to get paid jobs” said Mr Ham.
The Saranaga Learning Centre is taking in students from Kakabona to Aruligo and surrounding communities. Some of the students who have taken up courses at the centre have gone on to take up further studies at the Solomon Islands National University.
DAP Officer Bronwyn Besley and Project Coordinator Maxwell Ham officially open the centre