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

Issue 165 (Digital) 23 October – 27 October 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.

Community Access & Urban Services Enhancement Project: A Milestone Achievement! as of September 2023

By Special Correspondent

SOLOMON ISLANDS – The Community Access & Urban Services Enhancement Project, a transformative initiative aimed at uplifting both the human and physical environment of our community, has hit major milestones, underscoring the project’s enormous success and community impact.

In a community where the balance of gender representation in infrastructure projects has often been skewed, this initiative stands out. A whopping 7,851 community workers have been a part of this project, with an equal gender representation – 50% being female and 50% male. Notably, 72% of these workers come from our most vulnerable areas, indicating an inclusive approach that prioritizes those most in need. This massive engagement has resulted in over 344,292 labor days, signaling a robust involvement and employment generation.

On the infrastructure front, the community is witnessing a transformation. An impressive tally of 199 functional infrastructural pieces, encompassing land, road, maritime, and various amenities, have been either introduced or revamped. Residents can now traverse more than 300 road segments that have been meticulously restored, maintained, or upgraded to withstand the challenges posed by climate change.

Waste management, often a sore point in urban development, has seen remarkable improvements under this project. Streets and drains are noticeably cleaner, with a substantial 58,080 cubic meter of waste being efficiently managed and processed. The figures are not just about aesthetics; they translate to a safer, healthier living environment. Supporting this sentiment, 95% of the community members surveyed reported feeling significantly safer post the project’s infrastructural enhancements, which have included pedestrian-friendly additions such as Jacobs ladders, footpaths, and footbridges.

Training and skill development, a crucial component of the project, has yielded encouraging results. A majority of the participants, 97% to be precise, expressed satisfaction with the multifaceted training provided. This covered a spectrum from job coaching and CV guidance to intricate marketing skills. Consequently, 72% of the participants are now engaged in productive employment, marking a substantial rise from the previous 43%.

But what sets the Community Access & Urban Services Enhancement Project apart is not just its accomplishments but also the quality of its implementation. When emergencies struck, be it the 2014 Flood, the 2019 Cyclone, or the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project showcased agility and responsiveness. This resilience has earned the admiration and gratitude of the community, reflected in the 98% positive feedback from community associations.

Economic efficiency has been another hallmark. The project, in a commendable feat, has achieved a 30% cost-saving on works when compared to prevailing market prices. This judicious use of funds without compromising on quality ensures more milestones can be achieved in the future.

With MID and HCC commanding the operations since 2018 with resources from the World Bank and Australian Aid, the Community Access & Urban Services Enhancement Project serves as a shining example of what community-centric, well-executed initiatives can achieve. Its milestones are not just numbers; they represent a tangible, positive transformation in the lives of thousands. As the project continues, one can only anticipate more successes and a brighter, more prosperous community.

A regular early morning round up of waste cleaning and collection along the Honiara CBD is being undertaken by a group of women who recently successfully completed their ISDT training. In the next two weeks, CAUSE will be deploying more cleaners to assist the Honiara City Council and Guadalcanal Provincial Government in cleaning the city’s road network.

While in western part of peri-urban Guadalcanal, male youth workers are about to collect the cut grass and solid waste along road shoulder opposite a locally popular beach destination along the Savo-Tanavasa corridor.

A CAUSE-skilled worker is training two community workers with no prior experience in using a spray gun to paint a roofing sheet. While every worker is expected to be open to learning new skills during their work deployment, the excitement of trying and achieving something entirely new is evident as they haven’t had this opportunity before.

The CAUSE PMU is considering the possibility of recognizing this experience and skill development in the next phase of intervention to place a higher value on their potential capacities as they continue to nurture these skills, aligning with their future aspirations.

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