THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH: a Tribute for Br. George van der Zant

By Dr. Tarcisius Kabutaulaka

Br. George and students from the Isidro Care Center, Aruligho

In 1975, a 35-year-old Dutch man with an lip-curling last name and a funny accent arrived in Solomon Islands. 

He had previously spent 9 years in Samoa, which prepared him for this next assignment in the heart of Melanesia.

He was worlds away from Europe, especially his native Holland, a country with tranquil landscapes graced by windmills, dikes and canals. 

He gave up a comfortable lifestyle for the humid and beautiful tropical islands of the Southwestern Pacific. 

But he was ready – armed with a dedication to vocation and tons of dreams to make a difference in the lives of the people he was sent to serve.

He was Br. George (Joris) van der Zant. 

He was a member of the Society of Mary (Marists), a religious order in the Catholic Church. 

On Friday, 12^thApril 2019, Br. George – as he was keenly known amongst colleagues, friends and former students – passed away peacefully at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara. 

He was 79 years old and had served as a Catholic Marist missionary in Solomon Islands for 44 years.

He left behind a legacy that touched the lives of many Solomon Islanders – not just Catholics, but people of other church denominations as well.

Br. George is well known in Solomon Islands for his contributions to education, especially for young people who have been marginalized by the mainstream education system.

His first assignment was to establish and administer the St. Martin’s Rural Training Center at Tenaru, which was founded in 1977.

It provided vocational training for boys pushed out of Class 6 and Form 3.

It was established because of perceptions that the mainstream school system lacked practical, non-academic, village-oriented training for young Solomon Islanders; the increasing rural-urban drift; and the gap between rural people’s desire to use their resources productively and their ability to do so.

Br. George was tasked to manage a vocational school that was expected to address challenges associated with the country’s education system.

In 1991, after St. Martin had become a reputable institution, Br. George passed on the leadership reign to others and went to Makira where he established the Stuyvenberg Rural Training Center at Na’ana.

Library at Stuyvenberg Rural Training Center

Stuyvenberg Rural Training Center enrolled both male and female students and provides training in agriculture and carpentry with the aim of helping young people become more independent and take charge of their lives.

Bee keeping, was later introduced by fellow Marist, Fr. David John Galvin, originally from Massachusetts in the U.S.

In 2007, Br. George moved back to Guadalcanal and established San Isidro Care Center at Aruligo, which provides training to young people with special needs. 

Its aim is to help young people with disabilities make a living for themselves, their families and communities.

In March 2014, while addressing misinformation that San Isidro was only for Catholics, Br. George said that it is a school for everyone with disability “and want to learn something, especially in the practical side, everybody is welcome.”  

In 2015, in recognition of his contributions to education, especially for young people with special needs, the Solomon Islands Government awarded Br. George with the Solomon Islands Human Rights Award.

While education was what Br. George was most well-known for, in the 1980s, he was also instrumental in organizing athletics competitions, especially for children. 

For example, he worked with Peter Scarlett, a Honiara sign artist, and senior Solomon Islander athletes to organize the Milo Pikinini competitions, which saw some Solomon Islands children going to Australia to compete in track and field events. 

He was also influential in raising funds for charitable causes. In the 1980s, for example, Br. George organized a relay around Guadalcanal to raise money for charity. 

I first met Br. George when I went to St. Joseph’s Tenaru in 1979 to do Form 1. 

At first, I couldn’t understand his English. It was partly because of his strong Dutch accent, but more because at that time I could hardly speak English.

Over the years, as I got to know Br. George more, I saw in him a man who was dedicated to his vocation, but who also knew how to enjoy the small things in life.

For example, he was a huge football (soccer) fun. During the FIFA World Cups, he would root for his favorite teams. At the top of the favorites list was of course the Netherlands, although he was often disillusioned about their chances of winning the competition.

Br. George, Tarcisius and Fr. Ludoviko Manu at Tanaghai (2016)

In more recent years, whenever I was home, I have had the honor of sharing conversations with him at several kava sessions at the Marist House at Tanaghai. 

Now, as we bid farewell to a Dutch man who became a Solomon Islander, we reflect on the enormous contributions that Br. George made to our country and communities.

He came, he stayed, he served, made these islands his home, lived his final days here and left behind a legacy for us to continue.

Rest in Peace Br. George. God bless.