Chinese Embassy Donates Smartphones to Provincial Youth Councils

Ten youth leaders from provincial youth councils across the Solomon Islands have received smartphones from the Chinese Embassy to improve communication and coordination among youth leaders nationwide.

The support followed a request from the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress (SINYC) to assist provincial youth councils facing communication challenges due to geographic isolation across the country.

The smartphones were presented to provincial youth council representatives attending the SINYC Annual General Meeting in Honiara.

SINYC General Secretary, Josie Anne Ashley, said the support is an important step toward strengthening communication and networking among youth leaders throughout the islands.

SINYC General Scretary Josie Anne Ashley received donation for smartphones from Chinese Embassy to support communication challenges of Provincial Youth Council.

“For us, it’s a step toward better networking. Simple things like this support keep us staying connected with our Provincial Youth Council executive leaders across our islands,” Josie said.

She said communication has been difficult for many youth leaders in remote provinces, and the smartphones will help provincial representatives participate in video calls and remain connected with the SINYC main office.

“It has been tough connecting with our youth leaders, and these phones simply make it easier for our provincial reps to get on video calls and stay in the loop with the main office, rather than feeling isolated,” she said.

Ms Josie added that the initiative will also help modernize reporting systems within the organization.

“It’s a start to getting rid of slow paper reports. We’re planning to use Kobo Toolbox, which means we can see updates from our youth councils a bit faster, helping the main office coordinate without the usual long delays,” she said.

She said the improved digital reporting system would also assist SINYC in collecting data and reporting more accurately to the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and the National Executive Committee.

Josie said the support also contributes to achieving Goal Three of the SINYC Strategic Plan by improving access to digital tools needed to modernize youth council operations.

The provincial youth councils that received smartphones included Choiseul, Western, Isabel, Central, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Makira, Temotu, and Honiara.

The donation is expected to strengthen communication, coordination, and youth engagement efforts across the Solomon Islands.