BY LORETTA B MANELE
Honiara-based Kaloka Youth Association from Gao Bugotu constituency in Isabel province, also a YECSI (Young Entrepreneurship Council Solomon Islands) member formally received a vehicle through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and YECSI grant partnership yesterday.
Speaking to Island Sun after the handover at the Museum Auditorium, Gregory Auta’a, Director for MCT’s Tourism Division said this initiative comes through their partnership with YECSI since last year under the ministry’s budget of 3 million to support young entrepreneurs.
“Given the high population of youths in our country and through YECSI the ministry sees that the way forward in terms of engaging and encouraging our youths is in participation of tourism related businesses.
“Hence, the ministry has put in support of 3 million dollars to support the work of youths in tourism related activities,” he said.
Auta’a mentioned that apart from that money, they also have additional support for youths but it depends on the reports they receive from YECSI.
He said they are working closely with YECSI, highlighting that one other initiative last year was their support for four final year students studying Tourism and Hospitality at SINU.
“We also supported final year students who did their Tourism and Hospitality studies at SINU last year,” he said.
Vincent Clay Hiro, Chairman of Kaloka Youth Association spoke highly of the ministry’s support through YECSI.
He told the paper that this initiative is a significant step that MCT provided for them through YECSI.
Hiro said they plan to use the vehicle which is worth $50,000 grant to provide transport for incoming tourists, for hiring and as a taxi to help them generate income to support the activities they have implemented and activities they plan to implement in the future.
He expressed that this initiative is a pride for their young people as it will give them a sense of ownership.
To top that off, Hiro said this is also empowerment that is often spoken about, highlighting that young people have potential to make change and that potential only needs to be unleashed and unpacked through such support.
He also acknowledged the ministry and YECSI for making this support a reality for their association.
“The association really appreciates it and thanks MCT and YECSI for coordinating this,” Hiro said.
Jason Gagame, YECSI board member was also there to witness the handover.
He said the handover is part of an ongoing initiative of a grant partnership between the Ministry of Culture and YECSI to support young entrepreneurs with their business and in terms of revenue generation.
Gagame said the handover is very important given it is a big opportunity for the recipient association and it also highlights the ongoing partnership between MCT and YECSI of which the goal is to support YECSI members in the tourism business space.
YECSI Coordinator, Moses Jnr Aunama also spoke on behalf of YECSI.
He said the Kaloka Association is a youth association from Isabel province that looks after its young people and continues to uphold their culture values through dancing.
Aunama added that the association is also very much actively engaged in a lot of festivals and events in Honiara.
“So, their application was to support them in terms of logistics to enable them to attend such festivals and events and from them being active through MCT screening committee, they were successful to have this support,” he said.
Aunama said YECSI wishes them the best in what they are doing and said that he’s heard that they are also talking about having a festival either here in the capital or in Isabel.
He said YECSI looks forward to its continued partnership with the Ministry of Culture.
Aunama noted that they are getting great support from the ministry, and pointed out that their membership has grown from 31 in 2024 to 180 now with members from all provinces in the country.
The YECSI coordinator also thanked the outgoing government and the new government.
“Also want to thank the outgoing government and the new one,” he said.
Photo credit: Loretta B Manele
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