In 1995 the late Anne Gilbert and her husband Barry supported the first Marovo Lagoon student John Hotton. Anne's passion to improve education levels in Marovo Lagoon were continued by her friends and family, who at Anne's request, donated all money that would have been spent on flowers for her funeral, to a memorial fund. Jill ran this program for the initial years. From this simple but passionate beginning the scale of the program has increased dramatically with the number of students, teachers and schools supported increasing to (in our view) staggering numbers.

Aims: The Educational Development Program is comprised of a number of activities that are targeted at improving education, both academic and social, at the community and institutional level.

Youth Development Program: This program aims to provide a holistic set of support activities for the high-school aged population of the Marovo Lagoon to strengthen their position in society and their ability to deal with the changing world around them. The program presents opportunities for personal development and provides examples of good role models for the youth to aspire to. The outcome will be Communities that have assisted their own youth to develop into educated, valuable and responsible members of society. These youths are the young leaders that will have the knowledge and confidence to make much needed meaningful change in their village and provincial regions.

Institutional Support Program: This program supports the needs of the Community High Schools of the Marovo Lagoon to better serve their students. The program carries out targeted teacher training courses that address knowledge, teaching techniques and class management. These courses not only improve the effectiveness of the individual teachers but also the school as a whole. The lack of School resources is also being addressed. Whilst Secondary Schools have been the major focus varied support is also given to Primary Schools and Kindergartens. Primary Schools suffer from a lack of trained teachers and our first graduate from the Solomon Islands National University has greatly strengthened a local schools teaching staff.

The Educational Development Program: is providing the opportunity for the communities of the Marovo to develop their youth into well-informed, educated and respectful members of society.

Can you help?

If you wish to know more details about the Educational Development Program and how you might participate or help please contact info@uepi.com or solutions@marovotimber.com for more details. Alternatively take the opportunity to discuss it on your next visit to Uepi.
We welcome your support in fact we depend upon it.

Financial Donations made in Australia are now tax deductable.