Thirty-two participants attended a one-week workshop that aims at helping people with alcohol addiction.
The "Alcohol and Family Recovery Awareness Program" workshop, described as an 'eye-opener', was conducted by four facilitators from Kiribati."The focus of the workshop is to help those with alcohol addiction to either stop their habit or try to reduce drinking," one of the facilitator, Sister Teresa Kairo, told Solomon Times.
She said alcohol leads to disharmony in families and children are the ones that are mostly affected.
"Alcohol addiction is like an atomic bomb because when one is under the influence of alcohol, they cannot control themselves."
Sister Teresa reminded the graduating participants that "recovery of alcoholism is a personal choice".
Participants were divided into two groups - training of trainers (TOT) and training members - with focus on running similar workshops for members in communities around the country.
"I urge you, participants, to play your part by putting into action what you have learned through the one-week workshop," Sister Teresa said.
Invitation by the government for the Kiribati team to visit the country was made possible through the South Pacific Community (SPC) and the Catholic Diocese, through the Archbishop.
Meanwhile, a participant, John Nono, told Solomon Times that the workshop had really "opened up my eyes" to realize the impact that alcohol has on creating problems for his family.
"I have always had problems with alcohol and at one stage, my wife had to call for police for me because I did not return home," Mr. Nono revealed.
He said the workshop has helped him to realize the importance of putting his family first.
"I urge others struggling with alcohol issues to take up on important workshops like this one," he adds.
Other participants at the workshop include members from non-government organizations (NGO), government representative from the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs.
The team will leave the country for Kiribati on Thursday.