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The Solomon Island's Girl Guides Association today took delivery of a new multi-function printer donated by the  PacINET07 Local Host Org Committee.  Representing the association during today's handing over ceremony was Treasurer Wendy Ho and Honiara Commissioner Monica Chaniel.  The ceremony was conducted at the Pacific Island's Forum Fisheries Agency headquarters at Koloale.

Ms Ho said, "we have had a very difficult time in trying to organize the association. Our headquarters was looted during the ethnic tension so we have to start from scratch.  The printer will help us prepare our work plans and training programme."  Ms Ho also praised the PacINET committee for its positive response.

Mrs Christina -Kuper Wini presented the printer in her capacity as the chairperson of the  PacINET07 Local Host Org Committee.  "Earlier this year the Girl Guides Association had presented a proposal to us requesting the procurement of IT equipment.  Former members of the committee deliberated on the Girl Guides proposal and we felt that although the committee does not have a lot of money it can help meet some of the expense.  We were unable to meet the entire cost of the Girl Guide's proposal but we hope that in taking the lead perhaps business houses in the country can follow suit." said Mrs Wini

Mrs Wini admitted that there are other proposals submitted to the group for consideration.  "The PacINET07 Local Host Org Committee is not a funding agency but we are committed to fostering relationships and understanding between the local communities and the wider IT societies. Spreading what little funding we may have in enabling the IT skills of especially girls and women in Solomon Islands is one of our priority goals." 

Mrs Wini said that the remaining proposals will be considered and funded according to the committee's priorities and affordability.  She also said that members of the committee are willing to work with some of these organizations on voluntary basis to assist these organizations.  "At this time, Colley Falasi who is an active member of our committee has volunteered his own time to help the Girl Guides Association with the installation of the printer and provide training.  Our other committee members are also committed to providing our expertise and time on an ad-hoc basis to the Girl Guides Association.  We would like to do that for other associations as well."

"Among our other priorities is the vision to set up a professional body representative of all IT professionals within the country so some of the funds will to go towards setting that up.  The groundwork has already begun and we are hoping that a meeting will be organized this week."  Mrs Wini also spoke on the need to "remove the 'geekiness' out of IT so our committee is also keen on creating a Computer Mania Day during which we can showcase the power of computers while demonstrating that computers have also evolved to be more user friendly.  Computers can also influence positive development within the country so it is important that we assist the larger community embrace and understand IT technologies."

HISTORY
In 2006 a group of IT professionals from the Solomon Islands attended PacINET06, the region's premier IT conference in Samoa.  Among that group was the former Manager of IT at FFA, Norman Kapun who initiated the move to bid to host PacINET in Honiara in 2007.  Mrs Wini was elected Chairperson and presented the winning bid in Samoa.  The interim committee then formed an alliance with the Ministry of Finance IT team and hosted the largest PacINET conference in Honiara in 2007.  Other members of the committee were David Teva, David Leeming, Phillip Pukefenua, Colley Falasi, Ramesh Chand, Bryan Scott, Sally Kuper and Lynnold Wini.  Our Telekom, BJS Agencies, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and the Solomon Islands Government were major sponsors of the conference.