BY NED GAGAHE
In Choiseul Province, where many families rely on streams for drinking water, Lavinia Pupuru is helping to change this story.
She doesn’t see problems — she sees possibilities and solutions.
When she speaks about her community, her voice carries both pride and urgency.
“Through this program, I see a powerful tool for change,” she says, her eyes lighting up with hope for a better Choiseul.
Lavinia was among the participants of a recent provincial government social service delivery capacity-building workshop that brought together community and provincial leaders to strengthen the knowledge and technical capacity of provincial government and ward-level policy makers.
As the Ward Support Officer (WSO) for Katupika Ward 2 in Choiseul Province, Lavinia is helping drive change in her community—one solution at a time. The workshop has become a catalyst for her work, equipping her with new skills, tools and strategies to build on her existing experience in leading community development initiatives.
The training was conducted by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and the Choiseul Provincial Government, with funding support from the European Union (EU) through Strengthening Provincial Government Service Delivery Programme.
Held from August 20–22, the workshop brought together ward leaders and provincial officers to share experiences, discuss challenges, and identify practical solutions across the Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH), Health, and Education sectors.
Lavinia shared how the workshop reshaped her approach to leadership and strengthened her connection with the communities she serves.
“As a leader, I now understand that I need to identify the real challenges in my community. Otherwise, if I just provide any type of support, the real problems are not addressed,” she said.
By focusing on community profiling and identifying specific needs, Lavinia is ensuring that decisions made at the local level are fair, targeted, and effective.
Giving Communities a Voice
One of the most significant impacts of the workshop has been stronger communication between community leaders and provincial government officers.
“Before this workshop, our voices as community leaders were not fully heard,” Lavinia explained.
Now, through stronger links between Ward Development Committees (WDCs), Ward Support Officers, and the Provincial Government, communities are becoming active participants in shaping their future.
“This week, we had the opportunity to meet and learn from one another. I believe that in the future we will have a better Choiseul Province, especially in terms of a better school environment for our children,” she said.
Building a Better Future for Children
Lavinia sees long-term benefits for children and young people emerging from this workshop. With improved WASH facilities, better school nutrition, and stronger child protection systems, the province is laying the foundation for healthier, safer childhoods.
Lavinia emphasised that education and WASH are linked and improvement in this area will ensure a better learning environment for our children.
Her vision includes sustainable food systems and community-driven efforts to reduce social problems and improve family wellbeing.
A Model for the Solomon Islands
Lavinia believes that what is working in Choiseul can inspire other provinces.
“If it works well in Choiseul, I hope that other provinces can see the importance of strong connectivity and collaboration between community and PG leaders,” she said.
Her message is clear: when communities and governments work together, real change happens. From clean water to safer schools, Lavinia’s leadership is showing that solutions begin with listening—and grow through action.
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