EVE BURNS
Christmas came early for Arno last weekend.
Last Saturday the newest non-government organization called Jibandrik donated four playground sets with the support of Australia’s Direct Aid Program for the NGO’s project “Expanding Childhood Learning Through Active Play.”
Jibandrik started out last year by joining in Arno’s Christmas parade. It followed up that event by delivering Easter egg goody bags for children earlier this year.
Other projects undertaken involved delivering backpacks for all children on Arno and other atolls, which included school supplies and face masks.
The late Nitijela Member and Minister Jiba Kabua’s children created Jibandrik.
The four playground sets are installed at the schools on Arno, Arno; Ine, Arno; Tinak, Rearlaplap, and at Bikarej.
The handover of the playground set, was witnessed by Australian Ambassador Paul Wilson, Public School System Commissioner Natalie Nimmer, Ine community members, close family members and friends.
“We chose the past weekend to dedicate/bless the playground sets because it was our late father’s birthday,” said Jibandrik President Emma Kabua-Tibon.
“My sisters and I formed a special connection to Arno and its people all because of our late father. Seeing how much he valued the people, how he engaged with them, how he showed acts of kindness and compassion, and how he invested so much in Arno’s growth and development, really inspired us to give back and contribute to the community in some shape or form.”
Kino Kabua gave a background story on how Jibandrik was formed and said that this is the first of many projects to come. She thanked the Australian Embassy for its support of a program to help four Arno communities.
“These project are also a testimony to local groups and local individuals who are inspired through particular interventions to support their communities and come up with great ideas,” said Ambassador Wilson.
He thanked Jibandrik and the Arno Atoll Local Government for their collaboration and the Arno community for their warm welcome and hospitality.