OLA Fou in Solomon Islands has started its annual programme to pick potential youth leaders for 12 scholarship awards under New Zealand Government.

Ten apprentice youth workers from Honiara and Guadalcanal are undergoing a three-day workshop organised by Ola Fou at the SWIM compound this week.

The programme is targeting aspiring youth workers from Malaita province, Western province, Honiara and Guadalcanal province for 15 months of certificate programme.

In Malaita province 10 young people have already completed theirs, and in Honiara and Guadalcanal 10 are currently undergoing the workshop.

The ten young people picked for Western province will begin theirs next week.

After the workshops, Ola Fou will select 12 potential community youth leaders from the 30 participants for 12 spaces provided by the New Zealand Government.

Ola Fou Solomon Academic Manager and Honiara Cluster Coordinator, Mr Silas L Savara said they want to link with many organisations in Solomon Islands for youth development but are lacking resources.

Regarding the scholarship, Mr Savara said they want to involve everyone but cannot due to NZFAT’s given 12 spaces.

“We as training provider to youth workers so that youth workers become qualified trainers, and we welcome every youth workers throughout the nation if they want trainings, Ola Fou standby for them,” Mr Savera said.

One of Ola Fou Staff, Patricia Zana Samuel, said at the end of the workshop the youth workers will be well equipped to work in their communities or organisations they represent.

“Any organisation or communities whose representative is here, after the three-day they will be very resourceful people to work effectively with young people in Solomon Islands,” Patricia said.

Meanwhile, the workshop’s activities include; Introduction to Youth Development, Activity Based Learning and Mentoring sessions.

Facilitators during the three-day workshop are Ola Fou Diploma students namely Winnie Aluta, Kevin Kafo Olea and Kelly Samani.