BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Samuel Suluka started working in the shipping industry in 1979 after completing his maritime studies at the Marine Technical Institute now Solomon Islands National University.

To build his career Mr Suluka made his way up in the shipping industry as a qualified seaman with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Patrol Boat Auki.

“After I ended my work with the RSIPF Marine Unit I joined other shipping companies,’’ said Captain Suluka from Lau Baelelea, Malaita province.

The father of five who will turn 70 years old in July this year 2024 then later travelled to Fiji in 2024 to further his maritime study before returning to the Solomon Islands.

“I studied here at the Solomon Islands Marine Technical Institute now SINU Marine School and then I went to further my studies at the Fiji Maritime College Academy for a year. I went to Fiji in 2014 for class three,’’ said Captain Suluka.

Before he resigned from the shipping industry this year, experienced Suluka worked with a pre-eminent shipping and logistics company.

“I just finished working from Silent World. I worked for six years. I just came down from the ship in May this year 2024 due to some family matters,’’ he said.

While Mr Suluka enjoyed his life at sea as a captain he also faced countless challenges and risks as a seaman.

“Yeah, as a seaman and especially Captain there’s a lot of challenges along the way which include decision making. The decision you make must be safe for everyone. Rough seas in open waters, sleepless nights, and many more. But you have to cope,’’ he said as he reflected.

Amongst the challenges Captain Suluka worries Suluka was leaving his family back at home and spending months at sea.

“You know as a husband you have to think about your family when spending weeks traveling. You might know what is going on with your children, those are one of the big challenges we seafarers usually face, especially when there is no communication,’’ he said.

However, despite the challenges, Mr Suluka’s endeavoring to ensure his work is more conducive, he has to.

“I have to because I come through since my early days as a seafarer working with many shipping companies till, I get married. And I also told my wife to understand my work when we are still yet in a relationship. So, she accepted it.

Captain Suluka started his seafaring career after completing his qualification at the age of 26 years old.

“Sometimes when I traveled back, I felt sorry since some of us seafarers have already gone and some of us are still alive today,’’ he said.

After withdrawing as a captain, Mr Suluka has now concentrated on household work with his family.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Susan Paeni and Rose Sila, local farmers from the GIPPOL area in Guadalcanal, reside in the mountains and have been selling their produce at the Honiara Central Market to provide for their families.

They, like other vendors, used to suffer the sun and rain while selling their products before the new Honiara Central Market extension building was built.

The inauguration of the new Honiara Central Market extension this week brought immense relief to Paeni, aged 48, and Sila, aged 42, who are both hardworking mothers. Before the construction of this extension, they encountered numerous difficulties.

“We used to display our goods on cement and seek shelter under umbrellas. In our efforts to provide for our families, we endured the scorching sun and heavy rain. This was a familiar struggle for us,’’ Mrs. Paeni recalled.

Mrs. Paeni expressed her gratitude for the extension of the selling area, as it has eased the challenges of not being able to sell products or selling them late due to limited space.

“With the new space, I can now comfortably sell my vegetables, fruits, and root crops in a more favorable environment without having to stand or sit under umbrellas from the sun for long hours,’’ she said.

Mrs. Sila, a 45-year-old mother of six, travels back home every day after finishing her sales. She lives in the mountains and has two children who are currently in school. She expressed her happiness about completing the extension project.

“It was a relief for all local rural women farmers in Guadalcanal,’’ 45-year-old Sila told Island Sun in an exclusive interview.

Mrs. Sila, who usually sells bananas, cucumbers, and pawpaw, resides at Gold Ridge and has to wake up early in the morning to prepare her produce before heading to the Honiara Central Market.

While traveling downtown in the truck, Mrs. Sila pondered whether they would arrive on time for her to set up her products for the day’s sale. She also wondered where she would be able to sell her products.

“These questions often cross my mind, especially when we are required to sell outside due to limited space,’’ she said.

Mrs. Sila, a 45-year-old mother supporting her five children who are currently attending school, must ensure that all her products for the day are sold out.

The mother of five expressed the difficulty of enduring the scorching sun and spending long hours under an umbrella during rainy days.

“We have often had to endure both the rain and the sun due to our struggle to meet our children’s school fees. Despite the numerous challenges, I continue to make sacrifices to provide for my family and ensure my children receive the necessary support for their education.

“I have to accept the situation. When it rains, we must find shelter, and even under the hot sun, we have to locate shade, possibly in the nearby stores. The announcement of the market extension plans generated excitement, especially among us, the farmers. Many of us, particularly the farmers, are thankful to those responsible for this development. In gratitude, I would like to say thank you,” Mrs. Sila echoed.