Eileen is a Solomon Islands national with origins from both Papua New Guinea and
The Solomon Islands. Eileen holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree (major in Public Policy; supporting subject Anthropology) attained in early 2019 at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Eileen has worked on a range of roles across various international aid organisations including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Oxfam International, a Child Protection Baseline Research commissioned and conducted by UNICEF and the Solomon Islands Government, New Zealand MFAT Aid Programme, the Australian Aid Program via DFAT, and now with ChildFund New Zealand. Key sectors and programme areas she has engaged in include tertiary scholarships and training, basic education sector budget support, fisheries, transport infrastructure, emergency and disaster response, and urban management. Eileen’s current role with ChildFund further extends her experience in working with youth and children, particularly in the areas of youth, social and emotional wellbeing, and child protection.
In 2020 Eileen established her own consultancy business, E.B. Kwalea consulting.