People with disabilities and mobility challenges can now reach Reilonga Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kakabona, West Honiara, more easily, after ADRA Solomon Islands handed over a newly built inclusive footpath on Sunday, 1 November.
The footpath means wheelchair users and others with limited mobility can join worship services with greater ease and dignity. It was jointly funded by the South Pacific Division, the Trans Pacific Union Mission and the Solomon Islands Mission through the Disaster Ready Church project.
ADRA Solomon Islands country director Leyn Eliezer Gantare handed over the facility, thanking the congregation for its partnership and for caring for the builders during construction. Head Elder Maesac Suia, who is also Provincial Secretary of the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, received it on behalf of the church and said the footpath makes Reilonga more welcoming to everyone.
West Honiara District director Minister Brian Solomon also thanked ADRA, noting that the footpath adds value as the church prepares for its upcoming dedication.
Work began in August and was finished at the end of October. Reilonga was chosen after a Disaster Ready Church assessment, which prioritises churches with permanent buildings exposed to disaster risk.
ADRA Solomon Islands will soon hand over a similar footpath at Forest Valley SDA Church, and final retrofitting has begun this week at Lau Valley SDA Church in Central Honiara District.
