"Constance Young Inn" opened in North Malaita's Fo'ondo SSEC Association by Women's group

By Simon Iro Sefa
Tireless efforts by the Fo'ondo SSEC church women's band in North Malaita has resulted in the opening of the "Constance Young Inn" on Thursday 7th August 2008.
Left to right: Irene Tonawane (Women’s Representative), Nathalyn Sefa (Project Coordinator), Ivalyn Tonafalea (Women’s Band Leader) and Necy Stanley (Assistant Women’s Band Leader).

The Fo’ondo South Seas Evangelical Church is a central Church in the 'Wanenira Association' in North Malaita where most religious occasions and big gatherings are usually held. In early 2007, the Fo’ondo SSEC Central Church Women’s Band learnt of the unsolved accommodation problem. They put their hearts together in faith, trust in God and started raising funds where at the end they had their prayers answered.

According to Project Coordinator, Mrs Nathalyn Sefa, “Constance Young Inn” is a first Permanent Rest House ever built within the SSEC at Fo’ondo, in Wanenira Association after the missionaries left Solomon Islands.

She said, “It is a historical event for Fo’ondo Women’s Band because for the past years, men tried to build a Rest House but failed.”

Mrs Sefa says that it took them a year to raise money for the project. They started raising funds since 12th June 2007.

“We thank God for the Public Fund Donations, which flowed from the Body of Christ,” she said.

She added that the Rest House was opened by Reverend Peter Maesulatala who was invited as a guest of honour.

The Cooperative Women’s Band group named the Rest House “Constance Young Inn” because Miss Constance Elizabeth Brouchton Young was a missionary who brought Good News (Gospel) to Fo’ondo District, died on 24th October 1924 and buried at Fo’ondo Church Cemetery.

Everyone who turned up to witness the opening was really blessed. The day was fine and there were lots of food during feasting.