Divit Development Village and Rural Training Centre
Guadalcanal Province

Founded by Catholic Sisters in 1971, at Nazareth Apostolic Centre, Tenaru, Divit was transferred to Visale in 1972. The first educational programme concentrated on vegetable gardening, basic health, needlework and English language. Over the years, and with the assistance of the European Union and American Peace Corps volunteers, the programme was extended to include business studies, maths, typing, home economics, and honey production.
We accept female students of all denominations, over the age of 17, and have accommodation for up to 60 students. There are nine staff members, whose mission is to educate young women to recognise their own potential and gifts, and to encourage them in using these to raise the quality of life in their families and communities.
The centre is on fertile coastal land, in the shadow of a steep hill. Our enterprises include farming pigs and chickens, growing vegetables, producing honey, and making clothes and baskets. Most of our produce is sold at the central market in Honiara. We also operate a small store. The income from these enterprises pays for transportation and food at the centre. We use fresh water from the nearby river. We have a canoe with an outboard motor, but lack of transport is still a problem. Last year, the centre closed temporarily, because of the ethnic tension on Guadalcanal, and buildings are still in need of repair. We need outside assistance to survive.