Samuel Bako: Channels of Hope Champion
Meet Samuel Bako, father, church leader and an untiring advocate against gender-based violence in the community of Kopiu Bay, on the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal province.
Samuel comes from a society where violence against women is seen as normal. But seeing his own sisters experience it, convinced Samuel to join the Channels of Hope program.
World Vision’s Channels of Hope uses biblical teachings to discourage violence and provide a means of dealing with violence against women and children.
Samuel says gender-based violence is a very sensitive issue to talk about in his community since it clashes with culture. At first, elders were reluctant to participate, however after they learnt more about the program they have become more accepting.
Samuel is now married with two beautiful kids. His involvement in the project has motivated him to help support project community members in advocating against gender-based violence to ensure that every woman and girl in his community has the right to reach their full potential, free from violence.
His community, Kopiu is one of the most active communities involved in the program and has shown to benefit from the World Vision project.
Rates of violence in the area have reduced according to Channels of Hope evaluation 2015 with over 50 per cent of the program’s participants, young girls and women, saying they have been fairly treated.
The 4-year long project works to improve and build a community of morals and respect and to reduce gender-based violence across the two provinces in which it is administered and implemented. Channels of Hope is currently running in 15 communities in Weather Coast-Guadalcanal and 15 Communities in Temotu and is supported by the Australian Government.