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

Issue 153 (Digital) 21 July - 04 Auguest 2023
The weekly wrap-up newsletter is a way to connect and update staff and project stakeholders about the progress of projects implemented by CAUSE in different communities. It includes information about the projects in Honiara, Guadalcanal (areas outside of town boundary), Auki, Gizo, Noro, and Munda. CAUSE is supported by the Australian Government and the World Bank.

The Australian Head of Mission, His Excellency Rod Hilton, High Commissioner for the Solomon Islands, visited CAUSE projects in Gizo town on Tuesday, 1st July 2023. The CAUSE Gizo Provincial Implementation Unit (PIU), headed by Edwin Ghasapio, has to date completed a total of 53 community access infrastructure sub-projects and has helped the Gizo Town Council in its daily clean-up drive around the township since its inception. CAUSE is partly funded by the Australian Government through the Papua New Guinea Pacific Island Umbrella Facility (PPIUF) Multi-donor Trust Fund.

The photo shows the PIU team leader touring the High Commissioner to one of those three high-impact jetty sub-projects constructed in front of the Gizo Public Market (another high-impact investment from the Australian Government done via another project facility). The photo on the right shows the High Commissioner talking to Rendy Solomon, Managing Director for local NGO Plasticwise. CAUSE has partnered with Plasticwise and has done a successful pilot on plastic and aluminum waste collection and recycling in the recent past. The CAUSE Project has been working closely with the Western Provincial Government and the Gizo Town Council and has since been very instrumental in helping the Project team in achieving the successful delivery of its project objectives.

CAUSE Literacy Program– Meeting the needs of community members who have missed out on formal education.

CAUSE Project in partnership with the Literacy Association of Solomon Islands (LASI) and with funding from the Australian Government has targeted to train 660 persons by the end of August 2023. The training, conducted by LASI, is in Solomon Pijin and runs for 12 to 13 weeks covering Pijin Primer Book 1 for Literacy and Numeracy for the first six weeks and Book 2 for another 6 or 7 weeks.

On Thursday 3rd August, 51 trainees successfully completed a 14-week literacy training at Ferakusia community in East Honiara for Level 1 and 2 literacy and numeracy courses. They were part of a cohort of 70 community members that enrolled and divided into 2 classes.

Shown here is Stephen Elden receiving his certificate. Stephen works as a security guard and assists in his local church. His heart’s desire was to be able to read and write and so was so elated when the literacy training was happening in his community. In his testimony at the graduation, Stephen expressed his happiness in being able to recognize and read words whilst in town and at work, and now he can write his own name and other names too, something he was not able to do before. Most importantly, he can now accomplish and write basic entries on his agency’s security log book.

The work on truss installation for the Ambu Multi-purpose Hall in Ambu Community in Auki Ward has now taken place. Photos show the first prefabricated truss being hoisted and secured into place by community workers. It is expected that the remaining trusses will be installed by next week. This project is located inside the Sinasu school compound, which is in close proximity to 5 communities expected to benefit from this project.

Foundation work on the White River market building has been completed and the site is now being prepared for slab installation. Intermittent heavy rains have continually affected the pace of the works, preventing construction team from achieving the required degree of compaction before the floor slab temperature reinforcement is installed. Backfilling works are almost true to desired elevation. The photo shows workers doing the final elevation corrections and to complete the final levelling and compaction work early next week.

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.

Gizo Town’s Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement Project (Gizo PIU) has truly exceeded all expectations, kindling a magnificent metamorphosis that has uplifted the lives of every resident. The remarkable accomplishments in fortifying infrastructure, enriching urban services, enhancing community facilities, nurturing economic growth, and fostering environmental sustainability have laid a rock-solid groundwork for an inclusive and flourishing urban center. The unwavering dedication and collaborative spirit of all stakeholders have been irreplaceable in propelling this project toward resounding triumph. As we move forward, it is absolutely vital to maintain this extraordinary momentum and build upon these stellar achievements, ensuring everlasting prosperity and well-being for the beloved community of Gizo Town. -Penny-

Testimonials