In the picturesque town of Gizo western provincial capital, where resilience flows as freely as the sea breeze, young people are rising above challenges to craft productive futures. Among them is 34-year-old Hence Ghoni, a beacon of hope for his peers in Paelonge, West Gizo’s Simboro community. Life in the Solomon Islands often comes with hurdles, economic uncertainty, limited opportunities, and societal pressures that weigh heavily on youth seeking a brighter future.
But amidst these struggles, Hence’s story stands out as a testament to perseverance and ingenuity. Despite his humble beginnings, hence who hails from Simbo, Roviana and Choiseul Province has refused to let adversity define him. After completing Form 3 in 2010 in Gizo, financial hardships forced him to halt his formal education.
However, hence found alternative pathways to success, starting with his involvement in the Youth@Work program in 2016-2017, which helps young people find employment or start businesses. “It’s not easy,” he shared in an interview with Solomon Star this week. “But I know that with hard work, I can achieve something for my family and myself.
” Through Youth@Work and studying business courses at the Pacific Community (SPC), Hence gained valuable skills that fueled his aspirations which also able to support his family with small money he earned. He also joined other smaller trainings organized by other Non-Government Organization (NGOs) at the Women Centre Resources in Gizo, the .
