BY HENRY KANIKI
The community of Jericho 2 of West Kola has successfully hosted a historical activity for the children by hosting an Environmental and Waste Management Speech Contest at Banana Valley (Zone 1) on Saturday 4th October.
A total of twenty-two students participated in the one-day activity, 16 primary students and six secondary students were participating in the contest. The activity was summarized by a drama group performed by Grass Valley (Zone 2) Kindy students.
The J2CDT was overwhelmed by the participation and commitment of the children over the past two weeks for the activity. The Committee decided to present token stationeries prizes worth of Four Thousand dollars to the participating students as well as all the children who attended the event (estimated of 100 children). The token was handed over by Environment Officer, Wendy Betty and a research master’s student (USP), Cathyn Liolea who came to Jericho to do her research survey on waste management.
The Jericho youths provided entertainment during the cause of the activity while the women also provided refreshment for children and parents after the program. Although the weather was not good, the activity was successfully completed.
Thespeech contest was made possible with the small grant support received from the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology Service (MECDM) under a title: “To strengthen waste management program by empowering the community through capacity building and socially inclusive approach in Jericho 2 community”.
The activity implemented two key objectives under the project, firstly objective 3: Environment and Waste Management Speech contest for Children followed by objective 4: Environment Beautification and landscaping in the community, where the four zones within Jericho 2 community received a basic set of tools to support the ongoing cleanup campaign in the community i.e. wheelbarrow, bush knifes, spades, wrecks etc.
On behalf of the Government Ministry (MECDM), Wendy Betty (Environment Officer) conveyed a message on behalf of the Director and congratulated Jericho 2 community for successfully implementing part of the small grant project. Betty highlighted the commitment of the Ministry in supporting community waste management initiatives in urban centers. The Jericho 2 community is one of the role model communities in Honiara city and you should be proud of that, she added. The Government can do so much hence we invite community initiatives so that together we can make a different in our society.
Vice Chairman of J2CDT, Joe Atoa acknowledged the children for their positive response to the call for speech contest. Mr. Atoa also applauded the parents for their ongoing commitment to supporting the Jericho 2 community to be Waste Management Warriors. He continued by thanking the Government Ministry (MECDM) for the generous support rendered through a small grant which made the event and related activities possible in advocating for proper waste management in the community.
There were tremendous motivational and advocacy messages about Environmental and waste management delivered by twenty-two speakers and are as follows.
Hellen Andrea highlighted that a clean community is a sign of respect for us and for others. While Shantel Bunabo pointed to the key message around being a hero for the Jericho 2 community and keeping the community clean, green, and safe for everyone.
Furthermore, Evalyn Sale mentioned that by practicing these three steps (reuse, recycle, reduce), we can protect the environment, prevent pollution and make our world a better, healthier place for everyone.
Moreover, Lincoln Kaniki alluded to the environment as a home, and it is our duty to protect it. Let us all promise to take care of our earth and help make it a better place to live.
A secondary student, Elisha Bunabo, highlighted a message of taking ownership of the task, that we all are responsible for proper waste management to improve our communities, societies and our country.
Jessy Belo added a healthy lens of the message, and I quote, “Manage your waste properly so as to not let diseases and infection spread”.
Mr. Lesly Salanga concluded with a strong message, that let us be a “Waste Management Warrior for our community”.
Mr. Steven Bunabo, acting Secretary for J2CDT, concluded by thanking the Government Ministry (MECMD) for recognizing the need for informal settlement communities like Jericho in advocating for proper waste management in the urban city. The J2CDT committee will continue to work closely with the key stakeholders for a common purpose and that is to educate, empower and be the change in our community.
The Jericho 2 community is looking forward to implementing the remaining objective of the small grant project in the coming months.
