Glenfield Catholic Volunteer helps build church in Solomons

For one young Kiwi, doing volunteer work in the Solomon Islands as part of a Mahitahi — Catholic Overseas Volunteers programme will have a special poignancy.

Matthew O’Sullivan from Glenfield left for the Solomon Islands in mid-June to continue his work building a new church in a remote part of the country.

Matthew took the spirit of his late father, Sean O’Sullivan, who died in March, with him in a special way.

Matthew’s father, who was a building surveyor with architectural experience, helped in drawing up the plans for the new church in Makaruka, which is four hours walk from the nearest existing church in Avuavu.

“This project is particularly special for me because, unfortunately, my father passed away just over two months ago now, and he actually designed the church, so it is actually a big driving force behind it,” Matthew told NZ Catholic.

“I was always driven to do it, but now it is just extra special. It will be nice to have it as a reality. I’ve spent a lot of hours on it, so when it comes to reality, it will be great.”

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