BY NED GAGAHE

The Japuana Youth Advocacy Association (JYAA) has successfully completed a two-week Outboard Motor (OBM) Engines and Sea Safety Training program in Isabel Province.

Held at Lepi village recently, the training, which covered both 2-stroke and 4-stroke OBM engine repairs and maintenance, as well as essential sea safety, was attended by 26 participants from Sepi, Thathaje, Binaboli, Vulavu, Lepi, and Midoru villages within the Japuana Ward of Isabel Province.

The graduates included six females and 20 males, ranging from young school dropouts to mature participants. For many, especially the young women, the experience was life-changing.

This training was part of the “Empowering School Dropouts in Solomon Islands with Hands-On Training in OBM” project.

Funded by the Canadian Government through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), and facilitated by the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), the program aimed to provide rural youth with practical skills to improve their livelihoods.

For many of the participants, particularly young girls, this training marked a real-life experience they never imagined possible.

“We never imagined such training would come to our doorstep. It has made it easier and more convenient for us to learn valuable skills,” one participant commented.

Another participant expressed gratitude to JYAA for securing funding from CFLI, making the training possible.

“This type of training is usually seen as a ‘boys’ thing,’ but we girls have the ability to do it too. We’re grateful to SINU for bringing their lecturer to our community,” she said.

In total, JYAA trained 47 participants over the first and second cohorts of the program, with 17 females and 30 males gaining hands-on experience in OBM engine repair, maintenance, and sea safety.

JYAA is proud to announce that two young men from the first cohort have secured placements at SINU, with one of them receiving a scholarship. These two participants will pursue studies in heavy and light vehicle mechanics.

JYAA extends sincere thanks to the Canadian Government, SINU, and the youth of Lepi, as well as all those who have supported the program in various ways.

The association looks forward to continuing its mission of empowering youth in the Solomon Islands with practical skills and opportunities for further education.

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