BY TONY IROGA

A woman from Suagi Community in Ghaobata Ward, North Guadalcanal has praised the WASH Artisan Training Programme, saying the skills she gained will help improve sanitation and reduce health problems in her community.

The programme was funded by KOICA through UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ (MHMS) Environmental Health Division and Guadalcanal Provincial Government,

Speaking to the Island Sun over the weekend at the conclusion of the three-day training at Ghaobata Community High School, participant Mrs. Loretta Tegoa said the programme equipped her with practical skills and confidence to contribute to the development of her community.

“I learned a lot from this training, especially how to build SATO pans using affordable and durable materials.

“We were taught how to construct slabs for SATO pans, build risers, prepare and cut moulds, and properly mix cement using the correct ratio of water, sand, and gravel. The practical sessions on the final day gave us the opportunity to apply everything we had learned,” Tegoa said.

She said she plans to pass on the knowledge and skills she acquired to other members of her community.

“After this artisan training, I will return to my community and train other people using the skills and knowledge I have gained,” she said.

She described the programme as an important opportunity for women to participate in a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.

“As a woman, I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in this training. It has shown that women can also learn practical trade skills and make meaningful contributions to improving our communities,” she said.

She believes the skills gained through the training will bring lasting improvements to sanitation and public health in rural communities.

“This training will help change people’s lives because we can now build proper sanitation facilities for our communities.

“In the past, many people practised open defecation, which contributed to health problems. If we apply what we have learned, we can reduce those health issues and improve the wellbeing of our people,” she said.

She also expressed her appreciation to the organisations and partners that made the programme possible.

“I would like to sincerely thank KOICA, UNICEF Solomon Islands, Leave and Learn, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, our stakeholders, NGOs, and all the facilitators for bringing this important WASH training programme to rural communities.

“This training has given us valuable skills that will benefit our villages for many years to come,” she said.

The three-day WASH Artisan Training Programme was designed to strengthen local capacity in constructing affordable sanitation facilities and promote improved hygiene and healthier communities across Guadalcanal Province.

Photo credit: Tony Iroga

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TONY IROGA

A community leader from Popoloi village in Ghaobata Ward, North Guadalcanal Constituency, says a practical sanitation training programme has equipped him with the knowledge and confidence to help end open defecation in his community.

Speaking to Island Sun during an interview at Ghaobata Community High School over the weekend, Ferguson Jimmy said the artisan training programme has transformed his understanding of rural sanitation and inspired him to share the skills with others when he returns home.

“Open defecation is beginning to come to an end because of this artisan training programme.

“This is my first time participating, and I have gained a lot of valuable knowledge and practical skills that I can now take back to my community,” Jimmy said.  

The artisan training is funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ Environmental Health Division and the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.

He described the training as highly practical and relevant to rural communities, saying participants were taught how to construct affordable and durable household sanitation facilities using locally available materials.

“When I return home, I will train my community members on everything I have learned.

“I want every family to practice proper sanitation and eventually have their own toilets,” he said.

He said one of the programme’s biggest strengths is its focus on low-cost construction methods.

“The skills we learned are affordable because we can use materials that are readily available in our villages, such as loose timber, old tyres, stones and other local resources instead of expensive building materials.

“This makes the technology suitable for our rural way of life,” he said.

He said the training differed significantly from previous sanitation awareness programmes conducted in his community because it included hands-on practical sessions.

“In the past, we received training that was mostly theory.

“This time we were shown step by step how to build toilet slabs, install SATO pans, mix cement, cut and measure pipes, and construct toilets using a locally designed septic system,” he said.

The locally designed septic system uses tyres and stones to form underground chambers and has been adapted for communities with limited access to water. He said the design is particularly suitable for villages located near rivers and flood-prone areas.

“The septic system designed by UNICEF Project Officer Erick Hale is well suited to our environment and climate.

“It is practical for communities like ours where water supply is limited and flooding can be a challenge,” he said.

He expressed confidence that his community will continue to implement the sanitation initiative with the ongoing support of KOICA, UNICEF and government partners.

He also acknowledged KOICA, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and other stakeholders for delivering the training to rural communities.

“We are grateful to all our partners for bringing this programme to us. It is improving health standards in our communities and will benefit people throughout Solomon Islands,” he said.

Photo credit: Tony Iroga

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BY TONY IROGA

Seven students from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have returned home yesterday after successfully completing a two-week Winter School program at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

The international program brought together students from universities across Asia and the Pacific, giving participants the chance to exchange ideas, build friendships and gain valuable academic and cultural experiences.

According to a SINU statement released over the weekend, the program gave students the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom by interacting with people from different countries and cultures while developing regional networks.

During the program, the SINU students studied alongside participants from partner universities in India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Fiji and Australia. They took part in lectures, workshops, masterclasses, field visits and group projects focused on sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The program brought home new knowledge, regional connections and memories from an experience that allowed students to learn not only from academic sessions, but also from the people and cultures around them,” SINU said.

Instead of working within their own university groups, students were placed in mixed teams based on their academic interests. This allowed them to collaborate with peers from different backgrounds and develop solutions by sharing different perspectives and experiences.

One of the participants, Sandra Carter from SINU’s Faculty of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences, joined the Sustainable Livelihoods: Health and Wellbeing stream.

She said her group explored ways to improve access to healthcare across the Asia-Pacific region by recognising the value of traditional medicine alongside modern healthcare.

“Our group presented ideas on how communities across Asia and the Pacific can improve access to healthcare by recognising traditional medicine as a supportive approach alongside conventional healthcare,” she said.

The program ended with group presentations, a certificate ceremony and cultural exchange activities, allowing students to celebrate their achievements and strengthen friendships formed during the two weeks.

SINU said the students’ participation reflects the importance of international partnerships in creating global learning opportunities for its students.

“SINU will continue to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new collaborations that enable more students to participate in international learning experiences, develop confidence, and gain the knowledge and networks needed to contribute to Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific,” the statement said.

Photo credit: SINU

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Women in Executive Leadership Solomon Islands (WELSI) has renewed its call for greater representation of women in senior executive and decision-making positions, saying stronger partnerships and institutional support are needed to break barriers to leadership.

The call was made during WELSI’s Women Connect Breakfast and Panel Discussion Networking Event at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Thursday, July 9.

The event brought together women leaders, government officials, private sector representatives, development partners and educational institutions to discuss challenges facing women in leadership and to identify practical pathways to increase women’s participation in executive roles.

Panel discussions focused on the progress and gaps in women’s representation, barriers to advancement into higher decision-making positions, leadership development and executive capacity building, mentorship and sponsorship, institutional support, and opportunities to strengthen women’s leadership pathways.

WELSI President Pamela Naesol Alamu in a statement said the discussions provided participants with a clearer understanding of the opportunities and strategies needed to support women aspiring to leadership positions.

“The dialogue created stronger partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders and renewed engagement and strengthened networks among WELSI members and women leaders across sectors,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Aaron Pitaqae said promoting women into higher decision-making roles is not only a matter of fairness but also a strategic necessity for national development.

“While challenges remain, the opportunities for enriched leadership and societal progress are immense. By addressing structural barriers, challenging biases, and fostering supportive environments, we can unlock the full potential of women leaders and drive meaningful change across all sectors.

“As members of our society, women deserve respect and recognition. This is not just about recognising women because they are part of us; it is about making meaningful change because it will benefit everyone. Government and organisations must now accept that women’s participation can have a positive impact,” Mr Pitaqae said.

Participants highlighted several barriers that continue to limit women’s progression into leadership positions.

These include deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes and traditional gender roles that view leadership as a male responsibility, limited access to professional networks and mentoring opportunities, gender bias in recruitment and promotion processes, and the challenge of balancing leadership responsibilities with family and community obligations.

Despite these challenges, the forum acknowledged that positive progress has been made through national policies and programmes that aim to support women to advance into leadership roles.

WELSI said it will continue to facilitate dialogue and collaboration with key stakeholders to promote inclusive leadership and create more opportunities for women to progress into senior executive and decision-making positions across the country.

Photo credit: WELSI

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-Burglary, arson spark security fears in Central Guadalcanal

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Police are yet to visit the scene of a reported burglary and suspected arson attack in Belaha, Central Guadalcanal, days after the incidents were reported, raising concerns over security in the area.

Henderson Police yesterday confirmed they had received reports and opened an inquiry file, but officers had not yet attended the affected sites at Paringiju Mountain Lodge.

A police spokesperson said the burglary was reported last Wednesday, while a logging truck was deliberately set on fire early yesterday morning.

“Police will investigate this issue. We have not yet identified the individuals involved or confirmed where they are from, but this is a serious matter,” the spokesperson said.

The burglary also targeted a house belonging to the daughter of the owner of Paringiju Mountain Lodge.

A villager told Island Sun the woman had temporarily moved to a nearby village to mourn her father’s death when suspects allegedly broke into her home and stole cash.

“She had moved to the main village after her father’s passing,” the villager said.

In a separate incident, a logging truck believed to belong to Galego Company, operating in the Komaridi logging concession, was set ablaze while loaded with logs awaiting transport.

The villager said the two incidents have heightened fears among residents, who claim criminal activities are becoming more frequent across Central Guadalcanal.

Adding to those concerns, the police spokesperson said they received reports that armed men carrying spears reportedly entered several homes at Belaha Hailelua village during the early hours of yesterday, leaving families fearful for their safety.

A prominent leader in Guadalcanal said the incidents should serve as a wake-up call for provincial and national leaders.

He said the latest reports followed other allegations of armed robbery, house break-ins and attacks on householders in recent days, indicating a worrying trend.

He calls on leaders, including chiefs, church leaders, provincial governments, parents and the national government, to work together to address the growing security concerns.

He also urges national and provincial leaders to tackle issues surrounding illegal and informal settlements, saying long-standing concerns raised by communities must not continue to be ignored.

He warns that continued insecurity could threaten major development projects in Central Guadalcanal, including Gold Ridge Mine, the WinWin Mining Project and the Tina River Hydropower Project, discouraging investment and putting jobs and livelihoods at risk.

He stressed that the issue should not be viewed as blaming an entire province or ethnic group for the actions of a few individuals, but rather as a call for responsible leadership and accountability.

Meanwhile, reports reaching Island Sun also said that the Belaha community in Central Guadalcanal has resolved to establish vehicle checkpoints following the incidents that have left residents fearing for their safety.

The decision was reached during a community meeting held yesterday, where villagers agreed to introduce nightly vehicle checks in an effort to deter criminal activity and identify suspicious individuals moving through the area.

The checkpoints were scheduled to begin at 10pm last night, with every vehicle passing through to be stopped and inspected, particularly vehicles without registration plates that residents believe may be linked to recent crimes.

The meeting followed a string of incidents in recent days, including house break-ins, armed attacks on villagers and the burning of a logging truck, which have heightened security concerns across Central Guadalcanal.

Police investigations are continuing.

Photo: Supplied

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