Selwyn College Graduation

 

When Aaron called from the Kosco to tell me he was almost back to Honiara, he mentioned that Chief Leonard was also on the boat.  We love this guy and his family!  Leonard was coming back to Honiara to attend his oldest son's graduation from Form 6 at a very prestigious school, Selwyn College.  Jerold hopes to go on to attend a university in another country, and eventually he wants to complete medical school so he can come back and serve in his home country.

 

 

We jumped at the chance to go and support this family.  Sarah has a friend from Marulaon who also attends Selwyn and just finished Form 2, so it was a double blessing to be able to attend the ceremonies.  Most students in the Solomons only complete Standard 6 (like 6th grade in North America),  so this day was extra special.

 

We left the house around 8 o'clock and picked up Chief Leonard in town before we drove all the way around the tip of Guadalcanal to the school.  Aaron, our amazing chauffeur, expertly dodged the potholes as he drove through the absolutely beautiful scenery around the edge of the island.  From the back seat, I commented that I was glad he was driving so I could enjoy looking out the window!

 

We brought our kimita, a woven mat, and spread it out on the ground for the kids.  One of the hardest things about living here is that we get treated like "big men" almost all of the time.  Plastic chairs immediately appeared for Aaron and me.  We accepted, but I tried to stretch my legs often to give Chief Leonard the opportunity to sit down in a chair.

 



 

The graduation ceremonies honored the students who had completed Forms 3, 5, 6, & 7 as well as the top three students in each subject in each grade.  Harris received honors for a 1st and a 2nd place.

 

Jerold will take his exams in early November.  If he passes, he will be able to attend Selwyn College for Form 7 and continue to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.  School fees go up every year, and this family has three boys in school and two children still at home.

Chief Leonard was a proud daddy as he posed with Jerold and some of Jerold's friends.  Refreshments were offered in three different venues:  graduating students and families, other students and families, and the honored guests that had been sitting on the platform.  We were invited to attend the "honored guests" refreshments in the library.  Aaron tried to decline, but we ended up in the library, anyway!  During the refreshment break, we got to spend time visiting with the archbishop of the Church of Melanesia, which is great because two-thirds of the Lavukal are a part of that church.

 

 

We finally began the drive home in the rain, and it began to get dark outside as Katherine fell asleep on my lap. We dropped Chief Leonard off at his sister's house, then gratefully stopped at the bottom of Cemetery Hill  for some Solomon "fast food":  cassava, fish, and chicken cooked on a hot griddle over an open fire.  Yum!  We finally pulled into the driveway about 6:30, quickly ate supper, showered, and fell into bed.  So thankful that we discovered the opportunity to attend this graduation and to experience this sweet day.