World Vision hands over ECE Centres to communities in East Malaita

February, 14th, 2018 Honiara - Kwai and Sango communities in East Malaita are the latest beneficiaries of World Vision’s Early Childhood Education project in the region. This was made possible through the New Zealand Government’s support for Early Childhood Education (ECE) in the Solomon Islands, particularly, East Malaita. 

Managed on behalf of the New Zealand Government by World Vision New Zealand, the East Malaita Early Childhood Education project was implemented by World Vision Solomon Islands. The project goal is to strengthen the Solomon Islands economy through an educated and skilled workforce. 

It focuses on early childhood education as a critical foundation for school achievement and skills development. It is anticipated the project will increase access to, and enrolment in quality early childhood education for over 1,100 children in some of East Malaita’s remote communities.

Education Sector Program Manager for World Vision, Wilson David Fiualakwa, reported that the handover celebration highlighted the ownership and responsibility of Kwai and Sango communities to take care of and maintain the ECE centres as the project ends in March 2018. He added that community member representatives also conveyed their appreciation to the New Zealand Government and all stakeholders involved in making the ECE project possible.

Provincial Minister responsible for East Malaita, Finley Fiumae also spoke highly of donor partners, World Vision New Zealand and World Vision Solomon Islands, highlighting the need for similar projects to be replicated in other provincial Wards within the region.

Since the project started in 2014, a total of 17 ECE Centres have been established in remote communities within East Malaita. World Vision under the project, helped the communities to cut timber for the buildings. It also provides other building materials while the communities contributed iron roofing materials for the two ECE Centres.

Malaita Provincial Minister responsible for the eastern region, Hon. Finely Fiumae, Provincial Education Authority ECE Coordinator, Dudley Siufimae, World Vision East Malaita Area Program Manager, James Kwaimani Faiau, ECE Project Coordinator, Samson Kwasi along with project teams attended the handing over ceremonies held at Kwai and Sango communities on 14th and 15th February 2018.