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

Issue 161 (Digital) 24 September – 29 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 network of small-scale maritime in Western Province

The small-scale maritime sector functions as the final spoke in the domestic shipping sector. Survey data from boat operators collected in two jetties adjacent to local markets in Gizo and Noro show how small boats ferry people from all over the nearby region to the marketplace (see map below). Many boat operators indicated that they make several trips a day from point to point. Small boats are also an important way for communities located along the north Guadalcanal coast, and in nearby Central Province, to travel to and from Honiara (Georgiou, 2017).

The last mile of connectivity is essential for creating scale and growth in the primary sector. Survey data collected as part of the Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement (CAUSE) Project has shown that the construction and refurbishment of community jetties and marketplaces in centers of density can encourage market concentration and growth. At three investment sites: Noro, Gizo, and Munda, nearly half of all boat operators surveyed indicated an increase in activity since the investments, and 42 percent indicated that were now carrying more loads (cargo and passengers). Key to the increased activity is increased safety and convenience and reduced operator costs. By providing a functioning, safe, and convenient alternative to risky shore-based landings, jetties improved the safety of passengers and goods, particularly in rough seas, and reduced travel time and boat damage. Corroborating this, jetties appear to have encouraged the entry of new market participants, with 15 percent of sellers indicating they had not sold goods anywhere before the investments. Investments have also crowded in sellers from other markets, which while simply representing trade diversion, nonetheless, increases scale at the hub, which is a key binding constraint. Of those sellers that were already selling at the markets, around 60 percent stated they were coming to market more and staying longer, 48 percent stating they were selling more diversified array of goods and 41 percent indicating they were selling more goods than before (Macdonald, et al, 2023)

Community Access Infrastructure Round-up as of 29 September 2023

The White River Market construction team completely installed the prefabricated composite rafters. This will be followed by the installation of the purlins in the week to come. Roofing materials are being readied and roofing installation will follow soon.

While in Auki, the photo below shows the completed drainage crossing of the 250-meter Molou footpath. Works are expected to complete in two-weeks time.

Liu Construction is diligently carrying out their responsibilities by assisting the Honiara City Council in the collection of refuse along Kukum Highway. This contractor has recently concluded their Climate Resilient Spot Improvement contract in Euka Road, Panatina Ward, and is currently engaged in rubbish collection until December 15, 2023.

The Jacky Heights project, situated in Panatina Ward, aims to enhance a challenging stretch of road, rendering it accessible for more than 200 households.

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.

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