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

Issue 155 (Digital) 14 August - 18 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.

On August 17, 2023, 31 participants from the Titinge community in Guadalcanal Province graduated from Literacy training under the CAUSE Project’s Literacy and Numeracy Development Training program. The program was initiated in 2019 to address the learning barriers faced primarily by women participating in CAUSE Infrastructure and Service Delivery (ISDT) Training. The training has been expanded and scaled up under CAUSE Additional Financing (AF), supported by the Australian Government. By the end of June 2023, 901 persons have obtained Literacy Level I skills, of which 82 percent are women. For Literacy Level II, a total of 461 participants have acquired the certification.

The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives from the Australian High Commission headed by Ms. Rebecca Lane, First Secretary-Infrastructure, Cris Afable, Project Manager – CAUSE Project, Judith Fangalasu’u –Team Leader CAUSE Training and Support Services and Priscilla Maeniuta – LASI National Coordinator.

The AF-funded Literacy Training Services builds on the experience of the Literacy and Numeracy Development pilot in 2021 and expand the training to all project locations (Honiara, peri-urban Guadalcanal, Auki, Gizo, Noro, and Munda) through a partnership arrangement with the Literacy Association of Solomon Islands (LASI). LASI, first established in 1993, has extensive experience as a leader in the Adult Literacy Program (ALP) in the Solomon Islands. LASI also plays a key role in coordination and advocacy functions at the national level, sitting as Chair for the Solomon Islands Literacy Network. LASI also plays a key role in advocating for the Government for greater support to adult literacy.

All 31 participants who obtained certification for Level 1 literacy moved on to Level 2 literacy. This is a significant achievement for the Titinge community and demonstrates their commitment to improving their literacy skills.

The construction of Ambu Multi-purpose Hall has achieved another milestone. The steel trusses are now being hoisted in preparation for full installation next week. The labor force, consisting of 25 CAUSE-trained community workers from the Ambu neighborhood, is happy with their achievement. Most of these workers have not previously worked on building projects prior to their engagement with CAUSE. They are pleased with the experience they are gaining from this employment, instilling a sense of pride and ownership within the community. Work will continue to focus on the truss and roofing installation 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.

Testimonials