History of Don Bosco in Solomon Islands

THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING AT HENDERSON

Short History

Since 1998

• Side by side to the Missio ad gentes the Regional and the Missions dicastero insisted that an educational presence for the youth be set up in Honiara (see house visitation book)
• The Local Bishop was objecting to the plan wanting the Salesians to take up a center abandoned by the Marists at Araligo 40 Kilometers west of Honiara
• It was only later the Bishop agreed to a center in Honiara provided Araligo will be in the future plans.

From September 1999 to September 2000

• All contacts with the ministries for the necessary permits and papers works were done. Frs. Capelli, Ambrose, Balcazar and Bro. Tanaka planned the future school, which started in September 9, 2000 at the height of the war in a small shop (7 x 10 meters) at Henderson fronting the airport.

In April 2001

• Frs. Provincial Fujikawa, Cipriani and Puppo visited the beginning school and gave us criteria for the development of the work basically telling us to keep the school simple and the number of students below 150.

In 2001 too

• Fr. Provincial, congratulated and encouraged the community to continue with the building of the classrooms and general shop building.
• He stated you are at the frontier of the GIA province, a source of inspiration and a true vitness for us all and for future vocations

The school had 40 students

In June 30 2002

• Fr Fujikawa congratulated the community for ending the classroom and shop building the 2 tasks I gave you last year were brilliantly accomplished...and blessed the building with the Archbishop and the Prime Minister who praised the School for serving as a model to the country.
• The school had 80 students
• In the opening statement of the provincial visitation on June 30, 2002 Fr Fujikawa wrote:

  Given enough persons, this mission can become a splendid reality....
  As a Province we must put more strength here and we must also ask for more Missionaries from the Counselor of the Missions...
  I encourage the community to continue progressively and make the Salesian mission in the Solomon Islands become a Reality"

• In the closing statement he says:

  I want to express my appreciation for the progress that we can really see in this S.I. Community.
  Although there is not enough personnel as a province we will be more positively involved not only in the financial aspect but also in the aspect of personnel so that we can consolidate the good work done by the present SDB....
  Continue with courage and zeal....
  Thank you for the sacrifices and sufferings you endure...

In 2003, On the 26th of May

• On his first visitation the new Provincial, Fr Puppo invites the community:
  

  • To live, pray, work and grow together,
  • To take care of themselves,
  • To finish what we started

• He states not to start anything new, which will involve expenses and to think about economical aspect and personnel needed for future plans.
  He accepts the Rural Training Project.
• Informally he shares to the community his plan of sending more salesians and speaks of an alternative place to be opened in the western Province in the Diocese of Gizo.

In October 2003

• The school has 123 students in 2004

In December 2003

• In his informal visit the Provincial, gives us the good news of a new Salesian for Solomon Islands in the person of Bro. Suzuki.
• He also expresses his personal opinion of passing the mission over to PNG.

Plans for 6 years 2004-2010 in the School of Henderson

• We have been in The Solomons for almost 10 years (9 to be exact)
• The growth of the mission has been minimal in Tetere and Slow in Henderson,123 students in 5 years with 8 graduates from a two years course and 14 from short 3 months courses.
• We are submitting to the provincial council a plan for the 10 years development for a full 6 years secondary technical school at Henderson in response to the demands of the parents, students and the call of the Ministry of Education and of the whole EPC.
• Capable of a total of 360 students. (2 classes of 30 per year level)
• With a Training Center for school push outs offering 3 technologies (carpentry, Automechanics and Electricity) for 120 students. (60 per year level; 20 in each technology)
• The Total number of students will be 480. (We have more than 400 applicants a year)
• The European Union will do the buildings and equipment; The SI government will pay the teachers.

We are blessed with a community of 8 young salesians with great zeal and dreams for the future