CAUSE Weekly Wrap-Up: Keeping you informed, one week at a time.

Issue 148 (Digital) 26 June – 30 June 2023

The weekly wrap-up newsletter is a platform to link and update staff and project stakeholders on the happenings in all Project Implementation Units (PIUs) and Project Management Unit (PMU) on the progress of projects CAUSE implemented in various communities of Honiara, Guadalcanal (areas outside of town boundary), Auki, Gizo, Noro, and Munda. CAUSE is financed by Australian Government and the World Bank

Climate Resilient Spot Improvement (CRSI) contract in Euka Road, Panatina, is nearing completion. The SID physical development is complete, and the materials quality is under testing with MID. The 190-meter concreted segment will serve an additional 1 km and 300+ households.

The entrance shed of the Point Cruz underpass, now with its side grill installed, is a sign of progress on the restoration project. Work began in 2021 and was originally scheduled to be completed in 2022. However, thanks to the hard work of the community group, the underpass is now expected to open before Pacific Games 2023.

Provincial Seawall and Ramp Project Complete

The long-awaited provincial seawall and ramp project has finally been completed, to the delight of the general public and boat owners. The new seawall provides a safer and more secure spot for boats to berth, while the ramp makes it easier to haul boats out of the water. The project also helps to protect the coastal area from future inundation. GIZO-PIU

The Inner Banana Valley, Gizo, WP, Jacobs Ladder is now complete!

This 100-meter ladder will benefit not only the Inner Banana Valley community, but also those who live further up in the Lauru Valley. The community embraced this initiative because they know it will make their lives easier and safer. The ladder was finished last Wednesday and is now open to the public.

Ambu Hall in Auki is progressing well, but at a slow pace. The next two weeks, we expect the column fabrication to be installed.

Burinasa Group 2 in Auki, SID is in the final stretch of their 60-meter driveway today. The group is focusing on driveways, as seen in the photo of the group leader working on one. Midway through their project, Group 3 is already 40 meters in. Despite the afternoon rains for the past two weeks, the work is on schedule.

INSPIRING STORIES

Beryl Sosota, a stay-at-home mother of four teenagers, struggled to support her children’s education. She used to sell cooked food at the market and her husband provided OBM services and repair in Gizo. However, their income was not enough to cover their family’s expenses.

In November 2021, Beryl attended a seven-day ISDT training at Gizo PIU. She learned how to write a CV, an application letter and how to present herself during an interview. She was grateful for this training, as she was able to apply for a job as an office cleaner at the Gizo NPF branch.

Beryl was hired for the job and worked there for six months. She is pleased that NPF also helps pay her children’s school fees. This is a blessing for her family.

Ghorekera Tolipio, a participant from batch 34, is a SINU graduate from the class of 2021, actively seeking job opportunities. One of his aspirations was to join the Labour Mobility Scheme for seasonal employment, but he faced obstacles.

However, after enrolling in the ISDT training on September 19, 2022, Ghorekera utilized the certificate he obtained along with the attached reference to apply for jobs. Through his determination, he successfully secured a position. Additionally, he used his earnings from project work to cover the expenses for his passport. Ghorekera expressed his gratitude to the CAUSE project for their assistance in making his dreams come true.

During our recent encounter with him two weeks ago, he briefly visited for a vacation before returning to Australia. Ghorekera shared that the valuable lessons he acquired during the ISDT training played a significant role in his promotion to the position of works supervisor at the farm where he is currently employed. He is now in Australia, supporting his family financially and working towards establishing his own depot business, specializing in selling and expanding his inventory of drums.

Testimonials