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

Issue 157 (Digital) 28 August -01 September 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 CAUSE Project continues to be highly inclusive, has yielded excellent results, particularly in helping to close the gender gap between men and women engaged in training and productive employment, and remains on track to meet its Project Development Objective, with less than 10 months remaining until closing. As of June 30, 2023, the Project has disbursed about 99% of its IDA financing envelope (D292-SB) and $4.26 million (58%) of the PPIUF Grant (TFB6580).

In the same period, the Project has: (i) engaged 7,499 beneficiaries (83.55 percent of the 8,400 target), of which 50.53 percent were women and 49.93 percent were youth; (ii) generated 333,000 person-days of work (84.31 percent of the intended end-line target of 370,000), with each participant working an average of 44.35 days (about 1 and a half months) or receiving SBD3,081.72 on average in wages (US$385.22); (iii) transferred a total of SBD23.20 million (approximately US$2.88 million) in wages; and (iv) provided 17,809 households (99 percent of the target 18,000) with improved access to infrastructure, services, or markets. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that 57.33 percent (of the 50 percent target) of the beneficiaries were reported to be from poor communities ranked as the “highest priority” in the vulnerability index.

Furthermore, the levels of women’s leadership in the Project remain high, with more than half (54 percent) of Team Leaders being women, and thus receiving increased hours and levels of responsibility and reporting on Project sites. This includes an exceptional 60 percent of Waste Collection team leaders being women and 19 percent of Community Access Infrastructure Project Team Leaders being women. It is expected to meet or exceed all targets except for new bank accounts opened or reactivated due to the inability of the banking service provider to respond in a timely manner to the high demand.

The CAUSE project recently completed Batch 45 in Gizo, Western Province. This training program focused on equipping participants with skills related to infrastructure and project delivery. Batch 45 consisted of 40 trainees who successfully completed the ISDT. They were celebrated during a closing program, marking the end of their training journey. The trainees will now move on to the Waste Collection and Cleaning Project in Gizo next month, applying their newly acquired skills in a practical setting. This comprehensive approach aims to develop individuals professionally and benefit the local community.

The renovation works for the Point Cruz pedestrian underpass is closing to completion. Photo shows the final touchwork at the southwing side (landward) of the entrance/exit shed (left); the newly painted underpass interiors (center); and the north wing of the entrance/exit shed (right) awaiting installation of the wall and window panels. It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of September 2023, one and a half months prior to the start of the SP Games.

The Ambu Multi-purpose Hall is shaping up despite the rains lately. The photos show the on-going works on purlin installation. It is expected that roofing works will begin next week. This will be followed by wall framings and concrete flooring in the next two weeks or so, as soon as the scaffolds are removed. The project is expected to be completed by the end September 2023. The Ambu community, together with the Sinasu primary and secondary schools, and 4 other nearby communities will benefit from this project.

Improvement to Climate Resilience Critical Section of Euka Road

The contractor responsible for the climate resilient spot improvement works in Euka Road, Panatina is not only constructing infrastructure but also taking the initiative to address rubbish collection and disposal in Honiara City, showcasing their commitment to community well-being.

Gideon Road, along Vura Ward, a 600-meter feeder road, has received its much-needed restoration works and will continue its routine maintenance until April 2023.

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