A New Home for Learning: Girls’ Dormitory Opened at St Stephen Secondary School, Pamua
Eighty female students at St Stephen Secondary School Strand, Pamua, in Makira-Ulawa Province, now have a safe and comfortable place to live and study, following the blessing and official handover of a new girls’ dormitory on 29 September 2026.
The newly completed permanent dormitory, named “The Melanesian Mission United Kingdom”, was blessed by the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Most Revd Leonard Dawea, before being formally handed over to the Bishop of Hanuato’o Diocese, the Rt Revd Arthur Abui. During the ceremony, Bishop Abui presented the keys to the College Principal, Mr Joses Maefasia, in the presence of staff, students, community leaders, diocesan representatives and officials from the Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government.
The project was made possible through a partnership between the Anglican Church of Melanesia Provincial Headquarters (ACoM PHQ) and Melanesian Mission UK (MMUK).
Designed to accommodate 80 students, the new 10-room dormitory provides a significant improvement in living conditions for the school’s female boarders. Each room is furnished with bunk beds and storage cupboards, providing space for eight students.
Speaking at the handover, Archbishop Dawea reflected on how the project began during his time as Caretaker Bishop of Hanuato’o Diocese in 2020. During a visit to the school, he was deeply concerned by the condition of the existing girls’ dormitories. Students had resorted to hanging plastic sheets from the ceiling to stop rainwater dripping onto their beds and belongings. Recognising the urgent need for action, he photographed the conditions and later shared them with mission partners in the United Kingdom.
The Archbishop expressed his heartfelt gratitude to MMUK for responding to that need and helping turn a vision into reality.
“Thanks to the Melanesian Mission UK for supporting this project, and to ACoM Provincial Headquarters for continuing the work until its successful completion.”
As Chairman of the School Board, Bishop Arthur Abui highlighted the significance of the new facility for one of the Church’s longest-established educational institutions.
“Pamua is one of the oldest educational institutions owned by the Church, and many of its facilities have deteriorated over time. This new dormitory is a great blessing for the school and demonstrates our partners’ commitment to improving the welfare of our students.”
Principal Joses Maefasia echoed those sentiments, noting that such a major development would have been beyond the school’s own financial resources.
“I am truly grateful for this comfortable and safe environment that has been provided for our students. This building will greatly benefit our girls and replace three old dormitories that have deteriorated over the years.”
Despite ongoing challenges with ageing infrastructure, Mr Maefasia reflected on the school’s long history of producing leaders who have gone on to serve their communities, provinces and the nation. He said the new dormitory would give parents greater confidence that their daughters can live and learn in a secure environment.
The completion of the dormitory marks an important milestone in the continuing development of St Stephen Secondary School and reflects the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s commitment to providing high-quality education in an environment where young people can flourish.
ACoM News
For MMUK, this project is a powerful example of how partnership can transform lives. By helping to provide safe accommodation, we are not only supporting education today, but also investing in the future leaders of the Solomon Islands.
We are deeply grateful to the many MMUK supporters whose generosity made this project possible. Your prayers, donations and commitment to the mission of the Church in Melanesia have helped provide a secure home for 80 young women, enabling them to focus on their education and fulfil their God-given potential. Thank you for helping make this vision a reality.