Eight (8) Malaitan People with Disability (PwD) Groups Received Poultry Project Support

People with Disability from eight (8) communities around Malaita namely: Gwaunoa, Lilisian, Kwaibala, Fiu, Kelakwa, Kwainaketo, Falake and Niniu communities/village received assistance from EU-IWA through Disabled People's Association Solomon Islands (DPASI) to do small poultry project.
Each of the recipient groups received chicken, chicken feeders, chicken drinker to do income generating activities.

In the welcoming remark at the handing over ceremony attended by representatives of the 8 PwD groups and their members, Malaita Province Youth Coordinator, Provincial Secretary, the Malaita Province PwD Coordinator-Samatha Tome welcome the recipient to witness the reality of what they used to discuss and talked about over the past months. Samantha remind the eight groups that the support is just the beginning of activities they plan to support PwDs in Malaita. The next will be piggery and shell money activity support for groups in Malaita.

Making remarks on behave of DPASI, the CEO Caspher Faasala describe the moment of support for PwD as excited and joyous moment. It is because PwD are often disregarded and are victims of stereotype and stigma that PwD are not cable doing anything in the society as the overlook the abilities that lies within PwD.  Mr Faasala assured the recipient of the small poultry project that they have lots of ability to excel and this is the reason why they are supported with the resources. The self-help program recognized the ability of PwD to better and equally contribute to the prosperity of our nation, said Mr Faasala. One thing that we, PwD must understand is that we cannot continue to rely on family members to support us, but we must continue to work to become self-reliant.

PwD are biggest victim of anti-social behaviors practices, and poor decision making in our society today. Therefore, it is reasonable that PwD are supported to become self-reliance. CEO, Mr Faasala encourage, the recipient to show or demonstrate to the partners, people with ability and stakeholders  that they can do better.
In the cooperate space, our next assignment is to create a cooperative society for PwD, Mr Faasala said. These eight recipients will become member of the cooperative society that will be organize soon. We will support another seven (7) groups and  allow them to become members of the PwD cooperative society that we support the group to pursue income generating activities.
Malaita Province has a growing population of more than hundred thousand people, and PwD are relatively high compare to other province. Our big plan is to open a office in Malaita so that PwD can be serve and supported accordingly, Mr Faasala said. I would like to acknowledge the presence of Malaita PwD Provincial Coordinator and Frank Sam of Malaita Youth Council (MYC) as most of the members are youths. Now it is encouraging to see PwD  and special needs are slowly recognized by both government, and stakeholders, and people with disability must be equally supported.
In his closing remarks, Mr Faasal assure the recipients and the audience that there are lots of resource available to support PwD and special needs, it appeals to the recipients to proof that they can do better so that support can continue for our people. Mr Faasala ask the PwD not to allow able people to bully them, and ask the able people to provide support to our PwD.

Malaita Provincial Government, Provincial Secretary, in his remark during the handover ceremony thank the stakeholders that ensure PwD in Malaitans are supported. Receiving of the 8 projects are new beginning and chapter for our people. Receiving the project support is a milestone already, and encourage the recipients to fully utilize the resources given. I agree that opportunities are equally available for PwD, and I would like to encourage PwD to utilize opportunities such as school and other that are available.
Provincial Secretary also highlight, that recently Malaita Provincial Executive had pass resolution for establishment of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise support program. If the 8 operators align themselves as MSMEs, they will access support under the MSME support program in the near future. Thus, the provincial secretary encourages the recipients to take note of the emerging opportunity.
The representative of the PwD recipients acknowledge DAPSI recognizing the need for them to participate in income generating activity like poultry, and ask the project recipient to work hard and demonstrate that they have ability to equally engaged in our society.

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