BY KREINER TUKALI
At just 26 years old, Alina Maelaua from Malaita Province has already spent nearly a decade giving her time to help others. As a dedicated member of the Rotaract Club of Honiara, she now serves as the Club Service Director, helping lead projects that support communities.
Alina’s journey began in 2015 when she was a high school student at St Nicholas College. “That was where I first learned about volunteering,” she said. “Our school had a Rotaract group, and I wanted to be part of something that helps people.”
After finishing school, Alina continued her passion by joining the Rotaract Club of Honiara. She said her strong desire to serve others kept her going, even when challenges came her way.
“One of the struggles I faced in high school was transport,” she recalled. “Sometimes we didn’t have enough bus fare, and it was hard to travel to project sites.” Now that she is working, her challenge is time. “There are moments when I have work and community service at the same time. It’s not always easy to balance.”
Despite this, Alina remains committed. One of her most memorable experiences was traveling to Malaita, where her team helped build a library at Su’u National Secondary School.
“What makes me happy is seeing the smiles in the community after we finish a project,” she shared. “That joy gives me strength to continue.”
Rotaract Club of Honiara Service Director Alina Maelaua.
Alina encourages others to volunteer. “Being a volunteer is a good thing,” she said. “You gain confidence, learn new skills, and make friendships.”
