New International Outreach Project launched

Early in 2017, a meeting of parishioners discussed parish international outreach and recommended we support a new project in place of the Carpenter’s Kids Project which was undertaken by the Parish over 10 years with the Anglican Church of Tanzania. This led to the creation of the Community Outreach Group (COG) in the Parish of Manuka who researched options for future activities.

In September 2017, the Parish Council approved a proposal from the COG to support an Anglican Overseas Aid (AOA) project in the Solomon Islands over 2018 to 2020.

The objectives are not just for us to invest funds into worthy projects but to be aware of the problems being addressed, how and with what result. We aim to learn about development issues in the world and the impact that we might make through our investments.

The project is Bringing Light to Rural Communities, a project of the Anglican Church of Melanesia and AOA. During 2018 we raised funds to help the project make a difference in the lives of many in rural villages in the Solomon Islands.

Mr Holland Sikou, Solar Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s project spoke at the launch in February 2018. Holland is leading a team that brings solar lights and new income opportunities to rural families in the face of a changing climate. Since 2011, he has been providing solar lights in rural communities in the provinces of Ysabel, Makira, Malaita, and Central Solomons. So far, this project has transformed the lives of more than 5,000 people, thanks to people like Holland and the support of Australian aid and development agency and Anglican Overseas Aid.

For more information on the project, options for donating to the project and how else to get involved, contact Les Böhm, Chair of the COG on mobile phone: 0407 031 736.