by Sasha Pei-Silovo – EM TV Online
Former students of Arawa High School in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville successfully hosted their reunion at the Dynasty Restaurant in Port Moresby on Saturday 25 October.
The Ex-Arawa High School Reunion Inc through their organising committee, headed by Chairman of the committee, Gordon Kevon, worked tirelessly to stage the event which saw a great turn out by former students and prominent Bougainville leaders.
Highlighted on the night, were the objectives of the reunion, which would now become an inaugural event. Mr Kevon stated that it was the desire of the committee to raise funds needed to initiate projects that include the construction of a multipurpose hall, accommodation for teachers, new school administration block and a well equipped computer room that would adequately cater for the student population.
These projects will be spearheaded by the former students, through the Ex-Arawa High School Reunion Inc.
The Arawa High School suffered greatly during the Bougainville Crisis, which saw the destruction of much of its facilities; with the initiative taken by the former students, the school can look forward to receiving much needed support for its rehabilitation.
Also present at the reunion, was Mr Paul Nerau, President of the Port Moresby Bougainville Association and Chairman of the Independent Public Business Corporation board, who said that though the objectives of the former students may seem adventurous, they had the right attitude.
He added that all efforts by the ex-students were highly commendable and used the opportunity to encourage Bougainvilleans to support and contribute towards education – which is a far greater cause for the future of the AROB.
Nerau said that the Ex-Arawa High School Reunion Inc had set a benchmark for other former students of schools around Bougainville to follow. “Nothing is impossible if we get our minds to do things we want to achieve”, said Nerau.
Secretary of the Port Moresby Bougainville Association, Simon Pantanu, pledged the support of the association towards their drive in maintaining close links with the ex-students and encouraging the Bougainville community in the nation’s capital to get involved in any future fundraising activities.
The organising committee of the Ex-Arawa High School Reunion Inc is headed by Chairman, Gordon Kevon, Deputy Chairman, William Tondopan and John Lahis, committee member. They were duly thanked for their efforts in organising the reunion and for bringing together the ex-students to work towards a common cause and that was to give back to the school that they all gained their education from and from which, enabled them to be where they are today.
All ongoing efforts by the organising committee of the Ex-Arawa High School Reunion Inc will go towards fulfilling their planned objectives.
