World Vision celebrates partnership with YONEMA communities

The YONEMA communities celebrated its first-anniversary partnership with World Vision implementing the Community Channels of Hope Project (CCOH).

YONEMA Community combines three communities behind the Graciosa Bay, Yoo, Nep, and Mateone communities.

The CCOH faith-based approach is considered a breakthrough for the organisation in this community. It set history for the first time a World Vision Project to working in this community despite its existence in the province for up to 20 years.

The decision to extend the project to YONEMA was seen as a blessing to the community residents as testimonies of the positive impacts of the CCOH approach are heart-warming.

In honour of that, the community residents dedicated October 1st as the anniversary to commemorate this partnership. The first celebration was on October 1st, 2021, and naming the anniversary "YONEMA Day."

"Today marks a particular time in the history of YONEMA. We are celebrating this day in the years to come even though World Vision will leave," says YONEMA Community Hope and Action Team (CHAT) Chairperson James Nina.

Mr. Nina also appealed to the residents to make good use of the knowledge and garden tools that other World Vision projects have donated to them.

Meanwhile, Guest of Honour and Member of Provincial Assembly for Graciosa Bay Ward (Ward 9) Cecil Mona thanked World Vision for the changes it imparted in the lives of community residents.

"I am happy and would like to thank World Vision Solomon Islands for its projects for imparting change in the lives of community residents. This partnership has touched the heart of the provincial government," he said.

Hon. Mona also urged community residents for a strengthened partnership with World Vision.