A basic counseling course for village counselors has ended after six weeks duration at the St. Martin’s Pastoral Centre.

Facilitated by officers of Wok Sambai, 19 participants were taught basic skills and obtained knowledge in the various fields of basic counseling strategies such as interviewing, report writing and ethics (the laws of counseling).

There was also a two day practical which involved the participants going out to the hospital and the two main markets (Kumu Market and Town Market) to put into practice what they had learnt from the course.

Many had commented that they had gained good experience through this practical and it had also motivated them to become better counselors when they go back to their villages.

"Counseling is a good way of assisting to lessen pressures that arise in the family and also community. It helps to make a community a better place to live in," said Sr. Mary Paropet, MFIC, one of the course facilitators.

Sr. Mary also said that the sharing of experiences is also another good thing about counseling. Adding that it helps to free or liberate others of their problems.

The basic aim of the course was to help and enable people to solve their own problems in a Melanesian way instead of always seeking assistance from villages courts every time. It also strengthens the aspect of being able to have peace with oneself in order to understand how and why things happen in society and being able to come up with suitable solutions.