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Gwaiako, Laugwata to be Certified as Model Communities

Gwaiako, Laugwata to be Certified as Model Communities By SOLOMON LOFANA Solomon Star, Auki Gwaiako and Laugwata South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) communities in the interior part of Ward Three of West Kwara’ae Constituency, Malaita Province, will be officially certified as Model Communities next week after successfully completing the Model Community Development (MCD) programme. The two communities have spent several years working together to transform their villages under the MCD programme, which promotes community development through strong leadership, unity, and self-reliance. Having successfully completed the programme's final phase, both communities have qualified for graduation, marking a proud and historic milestone for their residents. Information received by the Solomon Star indicates that Gwaiako and Laugwata have completed Phase Four of the MCD programme and will graduate on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Laugwata Senior community member and church elder John Filiga confirmed the graduation programme, saying both communities are looking forward to celebrating their achievement next week. Laugwata church leader Jeffery Jonisi told the Solomon Star that preparations are well underway. "This week has been very busy as we prepare the stage and collect firewood for the programme," Mr Jonisi said. The Model Community Development programme is a Christ-centred, holistic approach that aims to improve both the spiritual well-being and physical needs of communities throughout Solomon Islands. The programme was established in 2008 and is coordinated by the South Sea Evangelical Church for SSEC communities across the country. Buiano was the first community in Ward Three in West Kwara’ae constituency, to graduate from the MCD programme and was certified as a Model Community in 2017. //end// Photo captions: Entry access of Laugwata community in Ward 3 , West Kwara'ae, Malaita Province. Photo: David Williams. Arial view of Gwaiako Village in the highlands of Ward 3, West Kwara’ae Constituency in Malaita Province. Photo: O’Brien Kame.