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Japans helps two communities via its Grassroots Human Security project

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Tumurora Primary School reps with Officers from the Japanese Embassy office

By Tanny.E.Vahi

THE Japanese Embassy has added to their growing list of assistance by issuing out two grants which will go towards boosting infrastructure development in two communities in the Solomon Islands.

The recipients are; the project for Loimuni rural health clinic infrastructure, and the project for construction of classroom building for Tumurora Primary School and Kindergarten.

In his opening remarks the Ambassador of Japan his Excellency Mr Kenichi Kimiya expresses his official approval of the projects which were submitted to them in August 2016 and May 2017 respectively.

He reiterated Japan’s commitment to contributing towards the development of Solomon Islands, especially through infrastructure.

“On behalf of the Japanese Government, we are very pleased to contribute to the development for the people of Solomon Islands.

“I would like to emphasise that today is just the beginning for you to start implementing these projects properly, while keeping in your mind that this is a present from the Japanese taxpayers.”

Tumurora Primary School reps with Officers from the Japanese Embassy office

Mr Kimiya said the priority areas of the Grassroots and Human Security Scheme in the Solomon Islands is through supporting health environment through the construction of health facilities for rural areas and construction of school facilities such as classrooms for students.

“As per priority area of our assistance under the Grassroots and Human Security Scheme in the Solomon Islands, we believe that this project will have positive impacts on the development of human resources in Solomon Islands.

“Whilst, the building of the classroom buildings for Tumurora Primary School and provision of the Health Facilities/infrastructure for Loimuni will play a key role in the development of human resources in the Solomon Islands.”

Loimuni Rural Health clinic infrastructure reps with Officers from the Japanese Embassy office

Responding to Kimiya, representatives of the two recipient organisations, Dr Lazarus De Neko, Provincial Health Director of Choiseul Provincial Health Services and Stephen Panga, spokesman for Tumurora Primary School, sincerely acknowledges the Embassy and the Government and People of Japan.

“Those of us present here are the key people who will assist in driving these projects and it is our pleasure to introduce them.

“The chiefs and elders of our communities are very happy to hear of the projects approval and on our return, we will do awareness to tell people of the help Japan has given and to mobilise community support,” they said.

Mary of Assumption sisters to make first vows this month

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

MARY of Assumption sisters will make their first vows on March 26 at the Nazareth Apostolic Centre at Tenaru and Archbishop Christopher Michael Cardone op will celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

This is according to Catholic Church media officer, Mr Joe Vidiki who expressed that Sisters Judith Roko and Agnes Kaora had completed three years of formation after undergoing studies at NAC Tenaru.

Shedding light on their journey, he said that they began their mission at Ruavatu parish and were later transferred to Nazareth Apostolic Centre (NAC) at Tenaru.

Mr Vidiki said that since then, they have assisted in the formation of lay catechists, Sunday school teachers, pre-seminarian students and also reached out to seminarians as well as to women and men’s groups.

“The mission work was great, the experience with people was so deep and the call is so compelling. So they dare to begin the formation of our young local women who also dared to entrust their lives to participate in the mission of the church,”, he said.

Vidiki added that the theme of the Eucharist celebration is “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”.

“Archbishop Michael Cardone op will be at NAC Tenaru for the Eucharistic celebration and preside the first vows of the two first Mary of Assumption local sisters. Sisters Judith Roko (ma) of Tamboko Tanagai parish and Agnes Kaora of Makina parish (Marau sound),”,he said.

Honiara celebrates World Water Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Honiara celebrates World Water Day

By Tanny.E.Vahi

HONIARA’S main street was paraded yesterday to mark “World Water Day” based on the theme ‘Clean Environment for Clean Water’.

Speaking at the celebrations, Leonard Olivera Director (Ag) Environmental Health of the Ministry of Health (MHMS) said that the theme is in line with the ministry’s vision, mission, and value.

“The vision is ‘Safe water for a healthy nation’, its mission is to ‘provide safe and reliable water services in our areas of operations in Solomon Islands’, and the value is ‘our people’s health is our passion and every ones business’ in the Solomon Islands.”

He stressed that proper sanitation and improving the use will contribute significantly to the vision, mission and value of the Solomon Water with relations to the Environment.

“We all know that good sanitation is vital for human health, it helps take care of the environment and it generates economic benefits and also contributes to human dignity and social development,” he said.

“Solomon Islands is no exemption to issues relating to poor water supply as protection of good quality supply catchment is essential in guaranteeing the supply of good quality and safe water, as well an unprotected water supply catchment could lead to contamination of water supply.

“This maybe of our ancestors but with the increasing population, the need to address sanitation is becoming a pressing issue.”

He also mentioned that health issues relating to improper human waste disposal is still a challenge and “it is a need to seriously look into rural sanitation and water programmes”.

The day was marked by workers from the Ministry and various primary schools especially the Live & Learn groups and people living in and around Honiara.

New chapter for Malaita women

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MPCW committee members, front row (L-R) Janet Lulu (treasurer), Relmah Geli (vice president), Martha Rurai (President) Back. Lily Lufi (member) and Alice Teioli (member) missing Cathy Pearson (member).

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THE Malaita Provincial Council of Women (MPCW) is looking forward to new heights after its general election of new members yesterday.

According to newly elected president Mrs Martha Rurai, “My committee will positively try our best to work together with all women’s organisation throughout malaita province.

“The former council committee has already established six women association groups in six wards within malaita province.

“Our aim is to set up associations in all the 33 wards in malaita especially to address issues and development plans for women.

MPCW committee members, front row (L-R) Janet Lulu (treasurer), Relmah Geli (vice president), Martha Rurai (President) Back. Lily
Lufi (member) and Alice Teioli (member) missing Cathy Pearson (member).

“As a leader to bring women together is not easy but through corporation and commitments our plans and visions will be easily implemented.

“One of our priorities that will be prioritised is to fully establish the connection with our provincial government.

“We will build our relationship (MPCW) through every ward in malaita province and with the Malaita provincial government.”

Mrs Rurai said the new executive has Malaita and its women at heart, and will carry out their duties faithfully.

“We will also to try and train women in Malaita in taking up high responsibilities in all aspects of life concerning women’s issues.

“The MPCW is also looking forward for any future international programmes organised must be channel through the MPCW,” Rurai said.

MPCW is the umbrella body of all women association groups in Malaita; and, any future organised programmes will be made known to the MPCW.

Rurai highlighted that the newly elected committee will be looking at developing their plot of land in Auki where the current centre is located to generate income to support the work of women in the province.

“We believe and hope all association women’s groups will work together with the MPCW to formulate our province for the betterment of all women in Malaita.”

Communique reached for provincial women leaders on TSM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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WDD Director, Pauline Soaki

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

A two-day forum for provincial women leaders on Temporary Special Measures (TSM) has concluded yesterday. Bringing in women from Western, Malaita, Guadalcanal and Honiara, the conclusion of the forum saw the emergence of a communique that will set the platform for the proposed inclusion of TSM in to the Provincial Government Act (PGA) that is in the process of amendments.

Speaking at the closing of the dialogue yesterday, Director Women Desk Division, Pauline Soaki says this achievement came about from the hard work and dedication from different stakeholders namely Women Rights Action Movement (WRAM) and National Council of Women (NCW) with support from the provincial governments, the national government through funding and technical support from the different UN agencies namely UN Women, UNDP through their projects UNPBF and SECSIP.

WDD Director, Pauline Soaki

Mrs Soaki in her closing remarks reiterated the comments made by Permanent Secretary Dr Cedric Alependava on the quote, ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’.

“This is just the beginning for us and we are now starting our journey and the road ahead will be tough, but we must not give up,” Soaki says.

Soaki said women from the provinces must be commended for the dedication to ensure this gets underway. Also she said the Western Provincial Government must be commended for taking the leading role in supporting the TSM in the provincial level.

“We are grateful for the Western provincial government who had brought the issue of TSM back to life when it was turned down. Had they been quiet, we wouldn’t see the light of TSM now in the provincial level,” Soaki said.

“If it is implemented, Western Province will become the first province in Solomon Islands to adopt such a measure,” Premier Maepioh has said in December 2017.

Meanwhile during his talk to the women leaders during the opening ceremony, Mr Alependava revealed that women in leadership and political representation is a priority outcome for the government.

“Articulated in the gender equality and Women’s Development Policy, this is aligned to the National Development Strategy 2016 – 2035,” Alependava has said.

Alependava in his speech also cited a clause from the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) where it said ‘adoption by States Parties of temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination as defined in the present Convention, but shall in no way entail as a consequence the maintenance of unequal or separate standards’.

He says there are two types of TSM which have been used globally to promote women’s representation: reserved seat quotas and political party or candidate quotas.

“Our dialogue and focus is on the reserve seat quotas.”

Women representatives signing the communique

With the focus on reserve seats, the women leaders are now strongly calling for Elected Reserved Seats (ERS) for women.

“This may include clustering of wards and provision for review of current ballot structure,” the communique said.

Meanwhile, the women are committed to work together in support of women’s participation and representation in the political arena.

Contained in the recent communique also, Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCA) will act on behalf of the women representation to take this call to the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) including other stakeholders to make sure TSM is included.

The forum concluded on a high note with the UN Women representative thanking all the participants for their time and commitment to ensure women’s voices are being heard.

ANZ introduces safe mode of paying school fees

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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ANZ officer help customer

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

OFFICERS of the Pay School Fees Digitally using ANZ goMoney project are conducting an awareness on affordable paying of school fees and savings at the Honiara public places this week.

The programme lets public aware that parents can now pay school fees conveniently using ANZ goMoney, the mobile banking platform of ANZ in collaboration with PFIP and Premiere Group of Companies.

The Pay School Fees Digitally using ANZ goMoney project is designed to address challenges parents face with extensive traveling with money, which is too expensive and risky.

Now, things are safe, convenient and affordable with ANZ goMoney mobile banking.

ANZ officer help customer

On Wednesday and Thursday this week public awareness was held at the HCC’s headquarter and the central market which attracted many parents and individuals who created new accounts, collected forms and sought information.

Promotional activities continue today at the Honiara Central Market, and interested parents, students and individuals are welcome to create accounts using goMoney mobile banking.

Manager of goMoney, Mrs Elizabeth Sodu said Pay School Digitally using ANZ goMoney is a pilot project of ANZ’s joint venture with Pacific Financial Inclusive Programme (PFIP) and Premier Group of Companies.

She said they have already piloted it at King George School and St Nicholas School.

Sodu said if the pilot project is successful in these schools they will extend it other schools in the provinces.

goMoney Officer distribute information on broacher to interested customer

“Our idea is by six-month time we should add many Schools inside our target of 29 schools to reach throughout Solomon Islands,” Sodu said.

PFIP-UN CDF Project Coordinator Hilary Vanderwey said the purpose of the initiative is to ease parents’ difficulties in traveling with money.

She said now parents can transfer money through ANZ goMoney mobile banking without having to travel around with huge quantities of money, which is dangerous.

Ms Hilary said such initiative paves a pathway for parents to stay in the provinces and pay money through an agent in mobile banking and then transferring directly to the school.

“They don’t have to travel to Honiara and the money doesn’t have to travel through dangerous means of travel,” Hilary said.

Officers of the Pay School Fees Digitally using ANZ goMoney project pictured in group photo during their outdoor
activity held near HCC compound.

Managing Director of Premier Mobile Money and Digital Financial Services, Mrs Julie Haro said the idea to bank digitally is a great initiative that will help everyone.

“If we look at it, children will go to school without interruption and parents can still do their income generating because they planning for it when to pay for School fees,” Haro said.

Currently, ANZ has a total 46,000 goMoney customers and the project aims to reach 29 schools in the Solomon Islands by 2019’s end.

New president for MPCW

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MPCW newly elected president Mrs. Martha Rurai

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THE Malaita Provincial Council Women (MPCW) has yesterday elected its new president and executive.

She is Martha Rurai, the former vice president of the MPCW from 2015 to 2018.

The presidency election has been contested by three candidates.

She polled 54 votes ahead of Alice Teioli with 44 votes, while Relmah Geli polled 9 votes.

A total of 107 women took part in the voting process.

Mrs Rurai is an experienced woman in the leadership role, having worked with other women’s group in the church and private sectors.

She was first joined and took up leadership with the Mothers Union (MU) worldwide organisation under the Anglican diocese of Malaita as a Mother’s Union worker from 2002 to 2011.

Her work as a MU worker dealt mainly with issues concerning women around Malaita and around the world and even attending the highest conferences in England representing the MU of the Anglican diocese of Malaita.

Rurai then joined the MPCW in 2011 and was elected the first president of Malaita council of women.

In 2015 she was elected as vice president; and in 2018 she is elected once more to take up the presidency post for the second time in three consecutive AGM meetings.

The MPCW elected members are, president, Mrs Martha Rurai, vice president Mrs Relmah Geli, Secretary Mrs Jessie Sogote’e, and Treasurer Janet Lulu, ordinary members Lily Lufi, Cathy Pearson and Alice Teioli.

The election took place at the malaita women’s centre during its 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) which ended yesterday.

Sunken US warship wreckage found after 76 years in our shores

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Sullivan brothers photographed on board the USS Juneau, 14 Feb. 1942. From left to right: Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan (Courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command)

By Alfred Sasako

THE wreckage of a United States warship, sank during the Second World War in our waters, has been found after lying on the ocean floor for some 76 years.

USS Juneau was discovered on 17th March this year by philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s expedition crew on the Research Vessel Petrel.

The expedition team said in a statement it first identified the USS Juneau on Saturday using sonar technology and then used a remotely operated underwater vehicle to verify the wreckage on Sunday.

The USS Juneau was sunk by a Japanese torpedo with the loss of 687 sailors.

The Sullivan brothers photographed on board the USS Juneau, 14 Feb. 1942. From left to right: Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan (Courtesy
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command)

Five brothers from the Sullivan family were famously lost on the USS Juneau. Their story, which attracted widespread attention, was depicted in the 1944 movie “The Fighting Sullivans.”

Two USS Navy ships have been named “The Sullivans” in memory of the brothers. The brothers wanted to serve on the same ship, despite naval policies preventing siblings from serving together.

According to a statement issued on the discovery, the USS Juneau was found on St. Patrick’s Day resting on the seafloor near the Solomon Islands. An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) from the research vessel Petrel first identified the wreck using sonar on March 17.

“The following day, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) was deployed from Petrel to verify the wreckage, capturing video footage of the Juneau.

“We certainly didn’t plan to find the Juneau on St. Patrick’s Day. The variables of these searches are just too great,” said Robert Kraft, director of subsea operations for Paul Allen, in a statement. “But finding the USS Juneau on Saint Patrick’s Day is an unexpected coincidence to the Sullivan brothers and all the service members who were lost 76 years ago,” the statement said.

The USS Juneau In New York Harbor, 11 Feb. 1942. (Courtesy the U.S. National Archives).

Juneau was sunk on 13 November 1942 during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

When a second torpedo hit her port side, an explosion cut the ship in half, killing most of the crew. The light cruiser sank in just 30 seconds. Around 115 of Juneau’s crew are believed to have survived the sinking, including, possibly, two of the Sullivan brothers. However, with U.S. forces concerned about the risk of further Japanese attacks, rescue efforts did not take place until eight days later. Only 10 men were rescued from the water.

The first ship named after the brothers, USS The Sullivans (DD-537), was commissioned in 1943 and is now a museum ship in Buffalo. The second ship to bear the family name (DDG-68) is in active service as a guided missile destroyer.

“As the fifth commanding officer of USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), a ship named after five brothers, I am excited to hear that Allen and his team were able to locate the light cruiser USS Juneau (CL 52) that sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal,” said Vice Adm. Rich Brown, commander, Naval Surface Forces, in a statement.

“The story of the USS Juneau crew and Sullivan brothers epitomize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s greatest generation.”

Giving back to the community

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mrs and Mr Popora with THC Leader, Ms Alice Hsu in the clinic.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

DEPUTY  Counselor of the Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr Oliver Weng and Taiwan Health Centre Leader in Solomon Islands, Ms Alice Hsu paid a visit to Sape Private Medical Clinic in North Guadalcanal on Wednesday.

Located in the heart of Guadalcanal Plains, the clinic is owned and run by Dr Paulson Bosawai Popora of Sape village, North Guadalcanal.

Mrs and Mr Popora with THC Leader, Ms Alice Hsu in the clinic.

A former Taiwan Scholarship recipient himself, he briefly spoke of how studying in Taiwan inspired him to return home with the knowledge, experience and skills he gained in Taiwan and utilise them to start something in his community.

Mr Popora stressed that having lived and studied in Taiwan he saw how hardworking Taiwanese people are and spoke of how both old and young people go out of their way to do volunteer work at various places.

In relation whilst referring to his university days in Southern Taiwan, Tainan at the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), he said that they had to do community service which was not credited but a requirement to graduate and basically involved cleaning around the school and hospital.

Left to right, Deputy Counselor Mr Oliver Weng, Mrs and Mr Popora and THC Leader, Ms Alice Hsu.

“What struck me is working without any credit at all. We would clean around the hospital and take care of the elderly. At that time, this gave me the idea that I would do something when I return home,” said Popora.

He furthered that besides running the clinic he is also involved in providing community services for his people.

Impacts of climate change on Pacific food

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, is the Solomon Islands getting any help from the FAO and the WHO on how climate change is affecting the country and already impacting on local food systems and food security?

“A high-level meeting in Rome last November warned that climate change posed an “alarming threat to food systems and food security in the Pacific islands.”

“The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s director-general José Graziano da Silva then expressed Pacific leaders’ concerns on how climate impacts contribute to malnutrition and obesity…

“The leaders elaborated on how malnutrition led to non-communicable diseases, which account for 75 per cent of adult deaths in the region.

“Mr da Silva said promoting local products was essential rather than being reliant on imported foods, due to climate change.

“It was said that the FAO was working with the World Health Organisation on a pilot programme in the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Samoa on promoting healthy and fresh foods.

“It was said it was hoped to spread the programme across the Pacific.

“Nine countries participated in the meeting including Kiribati, Vanuatu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Samoa, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and French Polynesia.

“In a joint statement, the leaders reiterated their anxiety about ecosystem degradation and other challenges encapsulated in the Sustainable Development Goal 14 and called upon the international community to assist in maximizing the sustainable utilization of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors for the benefit of the small island developing states.

“They further recalled the endorsement of the Global Action Programme on Food Security and Nutrition in SIDS and called for immediate implementation.” Source: RNZI 2017 (All Rights Reserved)

I know only of the project initiated with help from New Zealand in promoting fish farming in the country but very little else of what might be happening with help from the two international agencies that are already aiding Nauru, Samoa and the Marshall Islands, but all with less populations than the Solomon Islands

Perhaps, this piece might induce some answers on the assistance being given to the SIG from the international community.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

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