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

Issue 170 (Digital) 04 December – 08 December 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.

Solomon Islands Government Extends Gratitude to CAUSE Project for Pacific Games 2023 Success

December 7, 2023 – The Solomon Islands Government warmly extended an invitation to the Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement (CAUSE) Project to attend a special Thanksgiving dinner. This prestigious event, held in honor of the contributors to the Pacific Games 2023, recognized CAUSE for its pivotal role in the games’ success, particularly in maintaining a clean and green environment.

The CAUSE Project, a key initiative funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government, played a vital role in upholding the ecological integrity of the Pacific Games. Demonstrating exceptional organizational skills and commitment to environmental stewardship, the project deployed an impressive force of 200 cleaning groups. These teams, equipped with a fleet of trucks, worked tirelessly to collect and dispose of rubbish throughout the town and around the activity grounds. Their efforts ensured that the games’ venues and surrounding areas remained pristine, significantly contributing to the event’s overall success and positive image.

The Thanksgiving dinner provided a platform for the Solomon Islands Government to publicly acknowledge and appreciate the CAUSE Project’s contributions. The celebration highlighted the project’s impact not only on the Pacific Games but also on the broader environmental sustainability efforts within the region.

As the evening concluded, special mention was made of the generous support from the World Bank and Australia. Their backing has been instrumental in enabling CAUSE to achieve its objectives, thereby enhancing community access and urban services in the Solomon Islands.

Elevating Community Access and Urban Services: A Strategic Overview of Achievements

This quarter’s newsletter underscores the substantial progress of the CAUSE Project, showcasing the successful overachievement of our Q3 targets. In partnership with the World Bank and Australian Government, our concerted efforts in infrastructure development and service enhancement have not only reached but also surpassed our aspirations, delivering significant advancements in the Solomon Islands’ urban landscapes.

Infrastructure and Development Milestones:

Completion of 199 multimodal infrastructure investments: This achievement marks a pivotal step in improving transportation networks and economic access.
Elevation in household engagement: Approximately 18,100 households have benefited from the enhanced access to infrastructure, services, or markets.
Employment and skills development: The project has created 8,472 beneficiaries of job-focused interventions, fortifying community capacity building and economic resilience.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives:

Targeted community support: 57% of the beneficiaries are from areas designated as ‘highest priority’ by the CAUSE vulnerability index, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive support.
Employment creation: With 332,000 labor days generated, we have facilitated meaningful employment opportunities, crucial for local development.
Sector-specific Progress:

Road Restoration & Maintenance: We’ve surpassed our 83.5 km target, achieving 99.6 km with an ongoing 12.8 km, demonstrating our efficiency and commitment to infrastructure improvement.
Climate Resilient Spot Improvements: Completion of 17.9 km against a target of 14.11 km showcases our proactive stance on c

Improvement to Climate Resilience Critical Section of Euka Road

Community Impact and Feedback:

Increased access: An encouraging 82.8% of individuals in project areas report enhanced access to infrastructure, underpinning the positive societal impacts of our endeavors.

Broader benefits: Initiatives have extended to heighten community safety, cohesion, and environmental sanitation.

Acknowledgment of Donors:

The unwavering support and financial assistance from the World Bank and Australian Government have been quintessential in reaching these milestones. We express our sincere appreciation for their commitment to driving sustainable development initiatives within the region.

Forward Outlook:

The CAUSE project team remains resolute in its mission to forge ahead with strategic initiatives designed to further enhance community infrastructure, economic opportunities, and climate resilience.

Engagement and Contact:

We invite all stakeholders and partners to engage with our ongoing activities and to be a part of our journey towards a more connected and sustainable future. For further information or to provide feedback, please contact us at contact-us@causesi.net.

Transforming connectivity, empowering communities.

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