Katie Drew, the Executive Director of the Melanesian Mission (MMUK), is visiting Solomon Islands to meet with Anglican church leaders, the four Anglican religious orders, and the Mothers’ Union. Katie has spent time listening and learning from the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM), visiting the religious orders’ households, understanding the benefits of Mothers’ Union programmes, and receiving updates on projects funded by MMUK.
During her visit, Katie has toured St Stephen’s College, Pamua, where she saw the new girls’ dormitory and washrooms funded by MMUK donations. She also learned about the challenges facing the Rural Training Centre (RTC) at Pamua, which serves 200 students eager to learn trades and vocational skills after leaving mainstream education. The RTC offers courses in carpentry, mechanics, agriculture, tourism, and life skills. However, it urgently needs a new boys’ dormitory, girls’ washroom, agricultural equipment, staff training, and funds for a new poultry shed. Despite these challenges, the RTC never turns away young people who arrive without funds or a place on a course.
Katie also visited the Melanesian Brotherhood, where she heard about their plans for their 100th anniversary in October. The celebrations are expected to draw over 10,000 Companions and supporters, including a small group from the UK, to Tabalia for services and festivities.
At Selwyn College on Guadalcanal, Katie met with staff and conveyed greetings from Selwyn College, Cambridge. The College is keen to renew links with UK schools to enhance learning opportunities.
Katie’s visit highlights the joys and challenges faced by the Anglican Church of Melanesia, and reinforced the importance of Christian fellowship and collaboration with MMUK in advancing education and community development, through prayer, people and giving.