Fijian Soldiers Engage Community at Gilbert Camp in Honiara, Solomon Islands
Task Force Cori Mada 2 (TFCM 2) and members of the Fijian community in Honiara reached out in comradery touching the lives of Gilbert Camp Youths and Community by being involved in their annual Christmas’s sports programme on December 29, 2022.
This interaction also included the kind and generous donation by Ruby Lee in donating soccer balls, volleyball ball and SB$1200 cash (FJ$322.50) to assist in prizes for the week-long activity.
Being one of the largest Communities in the Guadalcanal province, Gilbert Camp consists of eight zones totalling approximately 5000 people.
Grateful for community outreach
Pastor Clement, a Community Leader and event organiser shared how the community encountered many negative activities during the years leading to crimes and community disputes.
He was grateful to have the Fijian Soldiers and members of the Fijian Community reach out to complement their motivation this year. During his interview he outlined the objective of the occasion.
“The aim of this games is to bring people together, people turn to unwanted activities which later turns into crimes during the festive season. As a pastor and a community leader, we try to engage our community with different kind of sports and even Bible quiz,” Pastor Clement said.
“For us we really appreciate your presence, your participation, we really appreciate that because your presence here means a lot to us in terms of security. We see you coming to assist us, to help us and to be part of the games.
“This is new for us this year, we haven’t seen such a loving and kind support and it is one of our histories. We thank you for being part of the games this year because of your hearts for the people. For you to come like this, we feel it in our hearts and it touches our heart. We believe it will touch the community and will touch the people. Thank you so much.”
After the week-long sporting programme, the organisers invited members of TFCM 2 to be chief guests at the closing ceremony. Children, youths, parents and members of the community turned out in numbers to show gratitude being a part of their games this year. A representative from the four participating teams, game organiser, community leader and also a member of TFCM 2 was invited to share a word of appreciation before the awards were presented and games closed.
A special feast was later prepared by the game organisers and shared amongst everyone to commemorate the end of the holiday games.
Clean up at children’s ward
On January 2, 2023, Task Force Cori Mada (TFCM) 2 lead by Lieutenant-Colonel Asaeli Tonikeve initiated the drive to conduct a general clean-up in the Children’s Ward at the National Referral Hospital. The Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ (RFMF) allied forces – Australian and New Zealand Defense Force – also came to assist in the cleanup.
Tamana Kativerata, a senior member of the Fijian community donated all the cleaning gears and chemicals used for the cleanup.
The National Referral Hospital of Honiara, also known as the Central Referral Hospital, is the main hospital and the largest in Solomon’s. Admitted children, parents and staff members appreciated the initiative of TFCM 2. Unserviceable toilets and showers were repaired, walls, louvers and floors were wiped and mopped including trimming the lawn and upgrading the landscape outside.
After the cleanup in the children’s ward TFCM 2 ended with a special number dedicated to all admitted children and parents with a closing prayer to bless the children and staffs of NRH.
Staff and patients were thankful and grateful for the kind gesture. TFCM 2 Commander said that he was pleased to have started the New Year with providing a helping hand to the children; the future of the Hapi Ilse. M
Lisu Dakei of the Fijian community also provided lunch for TFCM 2 after the effort was completed.