The Solomon Islands-United States Alumni Group recently organized an ‘Amerikan Naet’ (American Night) at King George Sixth National Secondary School.
The night’s event featured four successful career professionals who have completed their training in the US in recent years, providing a renewed sense of purpose and a tremendous amount of valuable advice to the students and their teachers.
Speaking in front of a packed school hall, Hubert Humphrey Fellow (2022-2023), Teddy Kafo, who currently works as a government communication officer at the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted his training program at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University.
Teddy, who is also an alma mater of the state-owned school, advised the students on ways in which they can access government information, highlighting the social media trends and embracing new technology to enhance work productivity and remain relevant in a fast-paced world.
Jackie Molea Chow, an entrepreneur, highlighted the program she attended in the US under the Professional Fellows Program. She was part of the first Oceania cohort to spend a two-month fellowship with non-government institutions in Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, New York, and Washington, DC.
Jackie, with an array of backgrounds in marketing and business management, told the students what she is passionate about—to educate and offer menstrual hygiene best practices for young girls in rural areas of our country and the region.
The third speaker, Niger Nogo Jr., a graduate of the U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP), emphasized the quality education that the US government offers for students from Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
He reflected on his learning experience, especially his peers and close connection with university professors, exposure to new cultures, and footing a deep knowledge in his expertise field—business administration, with a major in accounting and a minor in economics (2019-2022).
Niger currently works at the Central Bank of Solomon Islands under the economic research unit.
To cap off the nights event, Obama Foundation alumnus Millicent Barty, a social entrepreneur and communications designer, delivered the key message for the students: ‘Dream big.’
Millicent’s’presentation also shed light on her journey from high school and her grandmother’s inspiration, how she ventured into creative design, and her work to help address illiteracy in the country.
Millicent recently established her own organization, ‘Kastom Keepers,’ with support from the diverse community groups that help preserve traditional knowledge and cultural practices in the country.
The school hall filled with fun and laughter, as student ethnic groups performed entertaining contemporary dances and were treated to soft drinks and snacks.
The interval of the presentations tested their general knowledge of the US with quizzes, and those with the right answers walked away with customized items provided by the US Embassy, such as notebooks, t-shirts, water bottles, biscuits, handbags, and pens.
The boarding students also received notebooks provided by U.S. Embassy partner HALO Trust, which is working hand in hand with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force for safe removal of WW II unexploded ordnances (UXO) in parts of the islands.
President of the SI-US Alumni group, Peter Psalm Ramofolo, assured the students, “The alumni is here to support you every step of the way”.
He pointed out the region’s interconnectedness as an advantage for those who wish to further their educational journey in the US.
“You have access to more information, more resources, and more possibilities than any generation before you,” Peter said.
“There are universities and institutions across the globe waiting to welcome students like you —students who dream of making a difference not just here in the Pacific but across the world,” he added.
Peter is an alumnus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is currently the head lecturer at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Journalism School.
U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Kristine Marsh summed up the points that the speakers made, encouraging all to dream big, seize opportunities, and make connections with others throughout one’s career.
She emphasized that more US government programs will be continuously announced and encouraged all to follow the U.S. Embassy — Honiara, Solomon Islands Facebook page for the latest announcements of opportunities.
