Scaling up farming skills for students with disability in Solomon Islands

Above: San Isidro student Hilda, 29, tending to the school’s chickens. Photo: NN Media/Caritas Australia

More than 44 students at San Isidro Care Centre in Northwest Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, are undertaking food security and livelihoods training with the support of the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) through Caritas Australia.

The training centre for young adults with disability is scaling up its gardening and farming program after receiving ducks and chickens – both broilers and layers – as well as improved seeds and planting materials as part of the AHP COVID-19 response.

The response aims to build resilience in targeted communities through improvements in food security, livelihoods and access to water, sanitation and hygiene, while ensuring vulnerable groups are protected and included in community efforts to manage COVID-19.

Hilda, 29, has been a student of San Isidro since 2017. She is speech impaired due to a hearing disability.

Born in a rural Guadalcanal village with eight siblings, Hilda grew up without any formal education.

“To communicate is difficult,” Hilda explains through a sign language interpreter. “Back home, I cannot communicate with anyone. It’s hard.”

“Here [at San Isidro] it is good, because people can understand me. I like it here.”

Above: San Isidro student Hilda, 29, working in the garden. Photo: NN Media/Caritas Australia

Marist nun Sr Louisa, staff member and long-time resident of San Isidro, says Hilda is one of the school’s most trustworthy individuals and now manages the school’s gardens.

Hilda even volunteers to remain at the San Isidro compound to help look after the farms and gardens while everyone is on holiday during the festive season.

“Outside in the field, [Hilda’s] abilities are extraordinary,” says Sr Louisa.

“She has a unique connection with the farm animals and has very good techniques in planting. All the time her crops grow perfectly.

“When we have occasions such as Church rituals, feasts or gatherings at the school, Hilda is one of those students who will take lead in getting everything prepared.”

Before Hilda enrolled at San Isidro, she was already accustomed to the traditional garden chores of growing potatoes, taro and cassava.

She beams when asked what new things she has learnt since. Hilda is now a specialist in growing a long list of produce, including eggplants, beans, cabbage, watermelons, corn and even peanuts.

Hilda is also a poultry expert and plays a key role in the production of eggs to feed the school’s students and staff.

“This is where I am happy,” Hilda acknowledges in sign.

Speech impaired students of San Isidro begin sign language classes upon their arrival and study basic literacy and numeracy.

The students also take lessons on life skills such as sewing and baking and undertake practical skills training, graduating after a four-year program.

Hilda says after her graduation she will return home to her mother and properly set up their family gardens, possibly starting her own poultry farm.