BY JOY OFASIA
LILLY Tafoa Funakwanga has announced her intention to run for the Honiara City Council (HCC) election in the forthcoming 2024 joint elections on April 17.
The woman candidate will contest as an independent candidate against nine other candidates vying for the Honiara City Council (HCC) seat in Vura Ward, east Honiara Constituency.
In an interview with SOLOMON WOMEN, Lilly, the mother of four who is from the provinces’ of Makira and Malaita, said she was confident of making a major change and having a having a productive impact on the local community in Vura Ward.
“Observing the difficulties and needs of young people without jobs in my community, as well as the need for education and environmental improvements, motivated me to run for council,” the candidate said. “My vision focuses on transforming education for a better environment and employment.”
Prior to leading the elections, Lilly had a positive educational influence on her family and youth in Vura Ward 1 by encouraging them to participate in both official and informal schooling.
Lilly is a well-known figure in the Vura community, has been involved in many community groups and activities, and is especially committed to the education development of youth dropouts in her community in terms of funding youths to re-engage in both formal and informal education.
“I didn’t want to see young people in my community sitting there and doing nothing, so I paid for their school fees with money from my own pocket,” she revealed.
Coming from a business and entrepreneurship background, Lilly is the owner and manager of ‘AVIVV Design Printing and Construction’, a small business that provides employment opportunities for youth in Honiara.
Lilly plans to educate young individuals on environmental maintenance, including road and drainage maintenance, and to enhance the beauty of the Vura Ward 11 community.
She also outlined her intention to construct a community hall with women- and youth-oriented programming and activities.
“The unemployed women and youth in our ward and community in Vura will find employment when the environment is beautified,” she noted.
Lilly stressed how important it is for the HCC Chamber to actively consider the viewpoints of elected female representatives.
“Women’s voices need to be heard in the HCC Chamber,” she said. “I want to go in and speak up for our people’s concerns, especially the needs of our women and children.”
Later, Lilly cited Ephesians 3:20 in the Bible as her main takeaway, which provides her with the assurance that she can succeed in her role as a leader for her people.
“I think I can realize my ambitions to aid Vura Ward by using these important lessons from the Bible.
