I am hugely impressed by the initiative of 23 year-old Patrick Arathe and his group of teenagers in creating and productively running a cooperative farm at Kindu near Munda in the Western Province.

The farm has become the largest urban agricultural enterprise on New Georgia Island and is reported to be providing the youths, and others, with a sustainable livelihood.

In the United Kingdom, Patrick’s enterprise and personal initiative might have been recognized by a Personal Youth Achievement Award (YAA) which is an award sponsored by organizations that encourage young people to take responsibility in selecting, planning and leading group activities.

I am not aware of any organizations in the Solomons that do the same work in supporting the development of a wide range of life skills to enable young people, like Patrick, to take responsibility and advance the quality of their own lives and others.

I would encourage the government to give some thought to acquiring business sponsorship of enterprises that are initiated and developed by the youth.

In the meantime, should any sponsor wish to join me in giving Patrick and his group a small monetary award in recognition of their outstanding achievements, then please write to me via Solomon Times on Line.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short