The regular visits of Fr Balcazar to the villages of Sali, Komporo, Talaura, Kola Ridge and Nonou won him the respect and love of his parishioners. He spent time with them, celebrated the sacraments and would even provide daily essentials to the people at cost price.

In 2000, amidst ethnic tensions, the Salesians of Don Bosco commenced a workshop at the Correctional Centre, Rove. Three weeks after the coup on 5th June, the workshop closed as the prisoners were set free. Informal classes commenced at Henderson and Kola Ridge to cater to young people. Thus, began the work for the young people with prisoners as the first students.

A few months later, the first formal classes commenced at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson. The institute follows: ‘Reason, Religion and Rapport’, the three pillars of the Preventive System of Saint John Bosco.

The “Don Bosco Rural Training Centre”, which opened in Tetere, was a response to the cry of the people for educational and health facilities. The Salesians were happy to set up a rural training centre on a piece of land adjacent to the parish.

Moreover, in 2005, “Radio BOSCO FM 89.9” hit the airwaves, reaching 10,000 to 12,000 parishioners living across the plains, on the hills, the mountainside as well as the coastal areas. Fr Capelli suggested a local radio station, and Fr Pereira set about getting the necessary license from Spectrum, set up the radio and trained the volunteer broadcasters.

Now, as the Salesians in the Solomon Islands celebrate their Silver Jubilee, Fr Pereira has produced a video (available at the bottom of the article) expressing gratitude and thanks for these years of education, human development and evangelization among a people “always smiling”.

The Solomon Islands lie on the “Ring of Fire”, vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones and climate-change impacts like rising sea-level, high daily temperatures, and heavy rainfall. A rugged country with coral islands and atolls, it is about the poorest in the Pacific Islands. It has a per capita income of less than one US dollar a day.

Colonized by the British, the country gained its independence from Britain in 1978 and literacy is a little over 35% of its total population. Despite its limitations, there is always a smile on the faces of the people. They radiate joy, happiness and contentment at all times. Even now, 50% of its population are under the age of 18.

The churches are the hope of the Solomon Islands. Nearly every Solomon Islander belongs to one church or the other. It is the church that brings people together for worship, fellowship, interaction, relaxation and networking. Christianity is just over a century old and its committed and dedicated missionaries brought with its education, health services and development. The country has just a few foreign missionaries who have made the Solomon’s their home. It is up to the islander priests, pastors and people to now minister to their own flock.

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