OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR PLACE TO GIVE BACK

Honiara has experienced many negative activities over the recent months and most of these activities are a result of many youths living around without jobs. For the small community in Kukum, it is a different story when it comes to their youths. The boys living around the community yesterday took responsibility in their hands by working together on their community road which leads from the Kukum field through their community. Many of these youths are living in the community for many years and have called Kukum their home.

                                                     

The work began with one intention and that is to give back to the community that has trusted them to live amongst their homes. Solomon Islands international footballer and proud Kukum Resident, Gagame Feni spoke about the youths work by saying, “I believe that this is a positive image for this community and also for this youth. I lived here in Kukum for many years and I know these youth personally. They all came out and helped and asked nothing in return, to me, that’s what giving back to the community means”. Gagame who also was part of the boys repairing the road has spoken highly of the community members for bringing water and food for the boys as they continued their repairing of the road. 

One of the most touching moments of the day was when these boys were asked about the Asian couple who were victims of the brutal killing last month. One of the boys Jack was quite emotional when we spoke about the couple, “I am one of the oldest youths living in this area and I know this Asian couple really well. They were like our own fellow community member. Their shop was the heart of Kukum once. We are so sad to hear about the bad news”. The boys have stepped up their community security following this brutal killing by building a small station where they can stay while trying in keeping the community safe.

Every corner of Honiara is now considered to be dangerous as people around us are all strangers. For many, the time of safety has already left Honiara but for these youths, they still believe that Honiara can be a better place if every community works together and build each other instead of hiding away in their own homes. The Kukum community also contributed to a big feast later in the evening to share their gratitude for the boys and their work in the community.