Chinese Government donates OBMs, sewing machines, and clothing to support women in East Choiseul Constituency (linked to Record ID#107036)

On June 27, 2023, the Chinese Government donated eight 40-horsepower Yamaha outboard motor engines (OBMs) with fiberglass boats, over 30 new sewing machines, and more than 30 bales of second-hand clothing to women's groups across East Choiseul Constituency (ECC).

The donation was formally handed over by Minister-Counsellor Ding Yonghua of the Chinese Embassy in Honiara during a ceremony at the ECC Development Centre in Kerepangara.

The donated materials were provided as part of the PRC’s Rural Development Assistance Program and directly supported the life-skills training initiative held for over 300 women.

According to local officials, this was the first women’s development program in ECC funded by the PRC and addressed longstanding transportation barriers and livelihood challenges faced by women in remote communities.

Constituency Development Officer Collin Qalokisa and ECC Women’s Coordinator Joy Madada both praised the program’s transformative impact and acknowledged the long-standing development support ECC has received from China since 2019.

Since 2019, East Choiseul Constituency (ECC) has received an estimated SBD $4 million worth of development support from the People’s Republic of China.