Solomon Islands students assist victims of TC Harold

Students and officials head to families affected by TC Harold at Naikorokoro Settlement in Lami. Picture: SUPPLIED

By BEN BILUA

Solomon Islands students studying at various universities in Fiji braved the rain on Saturday to donate food, clothing as well as cash to 18 families who were badly affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold.

President of Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA), Peter Maclean, and Solomon Islands Education Attaché to Fiji, Francis Tavava, led the relief distribution program with the help of an officer from the Fiji National Disaster Management Office.

Solomon Islands Education Attaché to Fiji, Mr Tavava said Solomon Islands students were honoured to be given the opportunity to reach out to the victims of TC Harold.

“We know that Fiji Government has taken care of us over the past months, during the peak of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and TC Harold and as such we want to assist in a small way to give back to the people and government of Fiji for being good to us,” he said.

Mr Tavava said the donation was made possible through the contributions from Solomon Islands students when the call was made after TC Harold.

NDMO Central branch district officer Vatia Vasuca said the government and respective operational centres had been working tirelessly to help TC Harold victims restore their lives and move forward.

He told the SISA disaster relief distribution team that the donation contributed well towards the government’s ongoing relief program effort.

“Your assistance is a bonus to our ongoing effort and ambition to help the families get back on their lives and move forward,” he said.

Mr Maclean said the damage caused by TC Harold was immense and they were pleased to be able to visit affected families.

He said the visitation was a memory students from the Solomon Islands would cherish.

“I must acknowledge the students who came up with the idea to raise funds and help our host government and its people who gave us an opportunity to come and study here,” he said.

“During each presentation it was mentioned to each affected families by the NMDO team leader that these were the humble donations from SISA and particular the term ‘Solomon Islands’ was consistently used and it was moving to see how respective families were so emotional to receive their necessities.

 “This shows that the great value of kindness, respect and compassion of Melanesianhood is still in the hearts of our students.

“My humble acknowledgement goes to all parents, families, people, leaders, mentors and communities back in Solomon Islands for positively nurturing these respective SISA students to be noble thinkers and actors.”

*Ben Bilua (Solomon Islands) is a final-year journalism student at USP’s Laucala campus. He is also the online student editor for Wansolwara, USP Journalism’s student training newspaper and online publications.