DEAR EDITOR, it has been brought to my notice that a local clothing company, Island Clothing Limited, along with several other business firms, have all donated money to assist in sending a one year old child to Australia for a medical review of his reported heart condition.
I thank Island Clothing Limited and all the other business firms for their donations and I wish a full recovery for the young baby named Peter, I understand.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
THE West Gizo men’s beach soccer team will host a beach soccer tournament next month in the Western Province.
The tournament will take place July 5th – 9th, at Paeloge beach soccer field in West Gizo.
Chairman of the Tutimudi Beach Soccer Mr. John Wesley told SunSports, that Tutimudi Beach Soccer committee of Paeloge are in preparation at the moment to host another exciting tournament this year.
“We wish to encourage clubs around the province to participate and get prepare for this up-coming compertition.
“I would like to encourage young skillful and talented players to participate to select the final squad in preparation to represent the Western Province in this upcoming Solomon Games,” Wesley added.
“Tutimudi Beach Soccer committees are inviting other clubs from Vella la Vella, Ranonga and surrounding villages in the province to take part,” said Wesley.
He said beach soccer clubs will meet own costs.
“But the host will provide camping venue and other facilities. This year beach soccer compertition fee is $250.00.”
Wesley said committee members are now drafting an estimate budget and proposal to seek sponsors and other financial support means to host this year’s beach soccer tournament.
He said the committee members are working closely with the Western Provincial government and other business houses to provide prizes and support for the tournament.
The Chairman reiterates a call on the provincial government, communities and business houses to support the tournament in terms of finance to develop the standard of beach soccer in the province.
He said the committee members are looking forward to welcome other teams from neighbouring islands and registration is now open.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE management of the Solomon Islands national women’s soccer side is putting its acts together for the upcoming preliminary qualifiers for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup this year.
The preliminary qualifiers for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup will be held in Fiji from August 25 to 31.
Solomon Islands, hosts Fiji, American Samoa and Vanuatu will compete to progress from the qualifiers due to be hosted at Churchill Park in Lautoka for the main draw of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup.
The 11th edition of Oceania’s premier women’s competition had been fixed to run in Noumea, New Caledonia from November 18 to December 1.
As part of preparation for the qualifiers, a 30-woman training squad was called in last week by appointed head coach Diane Justus.
The squad comprised mostly familiar faces and were picked during the women’s pre-season competition held in Honiara recently.
“The National Women’s training squad has kicked off their preparation for preliminary qualifier for a spot in in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup Tournament.
“A 30 member squad has been named from the preseason competition held recently and are now having 2 seasons a week,” a statement from the women’s football department at SIFF said.
The qualifying competition is important for Solomon Islands where a top place finish will guarantee a spot in Group B of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup alongside defending champion New Zealand, Cook Islands and Tonga.
In Pool are New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti.
The winner of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup earns double advantage for the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, respectively.
New Zealand are five-time OFC Nations Cup champions (1983, 1991, 2007, 2010 and 2014) in the tournament that dates back to 1983.
See the national women’s squad for the qualifiers.
Goalkeepers:
Magaret Kofelo (Solomon Warriors), Sylvester Maenu (Koloale A), Kori Sogabule (KOSSA) and Diana Saeni (Solomon Warriors)
Defenders:
Kalinsa Hailifu Fiua (Koloale A), Philistus Wale (Koloale B), Rose Kakabi Oge (WanSOL), Edith nari (Marist), Janise Onika (Koloale A), Cathy Aihunu (Koloale A), Rose Fawai Sambiru (Koloale A). Lisa Solo (Koloale A)
Midfielders:
Wendy Basil (Marist), Delmay Waiha (KOSSA), Muriel Gua (Lunga School), Joyce Kapui (Marist), Serah Ragomo (Solomon Warriors), Alisha Eddie Donga (Solomon Warriors), Kobira Gulua (Solomon Warriors), Vivian Melissa Saru (Marist), Merina Philip Joe (Koloale A), Joy Timo (Koloale A), Agnes Noisi (Koloale A), Daphney Puetoro (Koloale A)
Forwards:
Laydah Samani (Solomon Warriors), Jamina David (WanSOL), Rose Arata (Marist), Crystal Bwakolo (Koloale A), Imelda Tehekeni (Marist) and Ileen Moffat Pegi (Koloale A).
Management:
Diane Justus (Head Coach), Prudence Fula (Asst. Coach), Angelline Vave (Team Manager) and Charlie Panakera (Head of Delegation).
DEAR EDITOR, the cost of water in our urban Honiara town controlled under Solomon Water authority if not carefully aware is one of the highest in the world that cannot be avoided by the majority lower to medium wages earners in the country.
This is a huge serious problem that the Solomon Water management and the National Government of Solomon Islands must look at the possible ways in addressing this issue if they are concern about health and the welfare of the citizens of this nation.
One of the basic human needs towards healthy life is clean water and so all citizens of this country deserve those needs in an avoidable cost.
The non-attempt towards addressing this problem by the National government through Solomon Water authority is an attitude of national negligence of duty towards its own citizens. What is the government for? When is the national government establishing legislative that its functions support, improve and touch the welfare and livelihood of its citizens?
If a national field assessment is done on accessibility to clean water in our urban centres as Honiara, half of the population are without clean water due to disconnection by Solomon Water Authority for no-payment and so the quality of water our people access to it is questionable a dangerous trench toward health status of this nation.
It is time all MPs who form national government must wake up from over enjoying the privileges derive from the national funds and resources while the poor citizens of this nation continue to suffer with their human basic needs as clean water that is at the non-avoidable cost in the urban centres areas nation-wides.
I therefore would like to contribute towards two solutions in addressing this issue of cost of water in our urban centres.
The appropriated approach for the National Government to take is to subsidise the cost of water in the urban centres to reduce the current highly cost of water imposed by Solomon water Authority to an avoidable level of cost.
This is a national issue and so the government must feel obligated by securing funds towards addressing it.
The MPs of East and West Honiara should use certain percentage of their billion dollar RCDF fund in addressing those issue because it affect the majority of voters that put them in the political power which they are enjoying today.
It is time leaders should show mansion in their leadership in identifying and addressing important problems that affect the livelihood of the citizen of this nation.
Jacob Ofasia
Talise Market
DEAR EDITOR, it was especially gratifying for me to learn over the weekend that the Hearts of Hope (HOH) charitable organisation, based in Malaita, had given more than 40 tiny babies sets of clothing, including shirts and caps.
The event took place at the Auki clinic last Thursday.
Most of the children who received the shirts and caps came from rural communities around the Auki area.
One of the mothers, whose child received a gift from the Hearts of Hope Organisation, reportedly described the support as an opportunity for her little baby.
She apparently said the surprising gift would enable her to save some money intended for the things received.
The HOH president, Janet Aihari, said during the handover of the clothing that the support was part of the organisation’s ongoing charitable assistance to children, orphans and elderly people in the rural communities.
She reportedly added that HOH wanted to see helpless children and elderly people to be part of life and enjoy the same privileges as everybody in the society.
Mrs. Aihari acknowledged the Helping Hand group from New Zealand for channelling the babies clothing’s through her organization.
It will be recalled that the gifted clothing came as a package of more than 90 boxes of second hand clothing for the HOH that were shipped to Honiara by Take My Hands Charitable Trust with the cost of the shipment borne by the kind assistance of the Solomons Forest Association (SFA) and with the help of Mr J Sy.
In the same container there were many sets of mobility equipment and furniture for the SIDT.
Take My Hands went the extra mile in collecting the many items that had been requested because the ‘bread and butter’ activities of the NZ Charity lies in collecting and shipping medical equipment and supplies and has arrangements with charitable organizations in Pakistan, Fiji, Nepal and I understand also in Tonga.
I again express my thanks for the consignment to TMH, the SFA, Mr J Sy, and the Chair of the SIPA and to Mr Casper Fa’asala for aiding the clearance of the cargo.
To Mrs Aihari and to her tireless volunteers of HOH keep up your good work on behalf of all the needy and less fortunate in society.
Yours Sincerely
FRANK SHORT
DEAR EDITOR, recently the Prime Minister took time on his visit to Taiwan to observe the working of a CT scan and expressed an interest in obtaining such an invaluable diagnostic tool for the Solomon Islands.
I would really urge the PM and the Solomon Islands government to do everything possible to acquire one such machine for the NRH.
The NRH, being the main referral centre in the Solomon Islands, has the ultimate responsibility for the medical care of a population now around 650,000, if recent estimates of population figures are correct, but is devoid of the one essential tool, a CT scanner, already in use in Nauru with a tiny population and in Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa, Papua New Guinea and likely, also, in Fiji.
A $26 million upgrade to Nauru Hospital was comparatively recently funded by the Australian taxpayers to allow for pediatric, cancer and obstetric services and CT scans.
Nauru has a population of about 11,000 and the upgrade of the hospital and provision of a CT scan was reported to have been undertaken to stop asylum seekers held on the island from having to travel to Australia for medical treatment.
I would encourage anyone in the Solomon Islands interested to learn more of a CT scan to try and view the documentary series of programmes on U-Tube covering the work of the trauma team of doctors at the Royal London Hospital to get a proper understanding of how essential a CT scan is to the work of those doctors seeking an early and essential diagnosis of an injured person admitted in an emergency.
The documentary series of several episodes is entitled “Trauma Doctors.”
As the country will soon enter its 40th year of independence, I would earnestly appeal, once more, to Solomon Islands regional donor partners, particularly, the Government of the Republic of China (on Taiwan), the Government of Japan, Australia and New Zealand to help the Solomon Islands Government and the NRH to quickly acquire a CT scanner, help built the facility to house it, and so ensure proper medical diagnosis is given to hospital patients who are risk without the intervention and use of such a diagnostic tool.
Yours sincerely
FRANK SHORT
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
ASPIRING women who have participated on the recent Practice Parliament for Women in Honiara say they (women) are confident and ready to participate in any election both at the national and provincial level.
The five days mock parliament has proved women are confident with regards to their commitment and participation in all activities set in place throughout the week.
It was developed in a participatory way with the first four days being the training aspect of the workshop and fifth day as practice parliament for the participants
Activities exercised were considering of women leaders from communities who wished to developed leadership, advocacy and policy as well as women who have committed to supporting gender equality in terms of contesting for the national and provincial elections.
The speaker of the National Parliament Honorable Ajilon Nasiu is impressed with the participation of the women and highlighted the government has recognised gender equality.
“Your participation further cements the commitment of the current government ensuring both parliament and an oversight institution of this country recognizes the importance of gender in all sectors of the country,” said Mr Nasiu.
The Practice Parliament for women was made possible through the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the National parliament of Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Women Children Youth and Family Affairs, Voise Blo Mere Solomons, Women’s Right Action Movement, UNWomen and the Young Women’s Parliamentary Group.
BY ELLISON.T.VAHI
OUR Culture as a pillar of sustainable development.
The role culture plays in is vital as it ensures quality and inclusive education for future generations, building sustainable cities and communities and giving rise to economic growth through creative and cultural industries.
According to the Isabel Provincial Youth Forum, an out spoken lady Zinnia Leamana stated that she is happy to witness the young Isabel people celebrate in a very rich culture and tradition in this era where western culture is playing a big role in today’s lifestyle.
“I must admit it gives me hope. IPYF is setting a powerful platform for our Isabel youth.
“The importance of having pride in our identity is I believe the basis of making great decisions for our province, decisions that proves we care and we are aware of who we are and the values that makes us who we are,” she said.
She adds, it takes a person with a big heart not only to realize but to execute his ideas in creating an active group of youth to take pride in what they do and to practice many arts of living.
The close integration of culture to development is to champion the role of culture in shaping our collective future.
Zinnia said while sustainable development is often associated with the three pillars of development through; economic, social and environment and whilst there is an increasing recognition of the important relationship between culture and sustainability.
She said that some have termed culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development because of the role that culture has played in development.
“Our roots as a thriving trade settlement with people coming from different lands, speaking different languages and practising different beliefs go far back in the past years.
“Our multi-cultural identity and unity in the midst of diversity that has been formed through this long history is something we treasure and always celebrate,” she said.
She adds, endeavour to take great care and sensitivity in preserving our past, also, many of our historic buildings have been lovingly restored and their present-day use continues to bring new life and relevance to these places.
“The transformative power of culture also rests in how it touches people and communities, and comprises what we refer to as our way of life traditions, festivals, food and social memories, passed down from generation to generation.
“For instance our cultural institutions should always anchor key festivals and programmes that celebrate our rich and diverse multi-cultural heritage,” she said.
FOR the fourth month in a row, international visitation to the Solomon Islands has shown double digit growth.
Figures released by the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) this week reveal international visitation increased for April 2018 increased 11.8 percent over the corresponding month in 2017.
The 2,250 total recorded showed an increase of 237 over the 2,013 achieved in April 2017.
With all major source markets showing good growth, Australian visitor arrivals continued to dominate, climbing 13 percent from 2,689 to 3,038.
New Zealand figures increased 17 percent from 443 to 519.
Papua New Guinea figures increased from 377 to 492, an increase of 30.5 percent while US figures grew 19 percent from 341 to 409.
Interestingly, visitation from Japan climbed by 40 per cent from 207 to 290, a result Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) CEO, Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto attributed to renewed interest in the destination following on from the 75th anniversary of the Guadalcanal campaign last August.
European traffic also continued to build, the 338 total recorded representing a 48.9 percent increase over the 227 figure achieved in 2017.
The April result follows the destination’s best-ever first quarter result with collective visitor arrivals for Q1 2018 up 29 percent.
–SIVB PRESS
TWENTY women representing the 14 constituencies in Malaita and organisations in Malaita are in Honiara to present on and dialogue with their members of Parliament on the Malaita Women’s Empowerment and Development Policy 2018 – 2022.
The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs together with the Ministry of Women, Youth and Sports of Malaita Province are collaborating with UN Women and UNDP through the Peace Building Fund, to organise a Women Dialogue with the Members of Parliament from Malaita province through the platform of the Malaita Women’s Empowerment and Development Policy 2018 – 2022.
The Malaita Women Empowerment and Development Policy was recently launched in Auki, on March 8, International Women’s Day.
The policy is a milestone and first ever for Malaita province, and has set out the priorities – both practical and strategic needs and interest of women in Malaita.
Research has shown that when governments invest in women, the family and community thrives.
Women in Malaita have an increasingly important role in the transformation of their communities.
They have become leaders in their communities seeking to address problems in their areas of community development and other issues.
However, in spite of the many common concerns faced by women there have been relatively few opportunities at the both the provincial and national levels to meet and discuss issues, or join forces with their provincial and national leaders in addressing common problems.
The dialogue will provide an overview of Malaita women’s path over the years through the outcome priorities in the Malaita Women’s Empowerment and Development Policy.
It will highlight issues and plans; and provide recommendations and consensus on key women’s priorities that affect their development and peace.
Freda Tuki Soriacomua says that creating a space for women’s participation in round table discussion with policy makers and leaders is important.
“Our government recognises women as partners in leadership and decision making, and we have articulate this through our National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security; and the National Gender Equality and Women’s Development Policy.”
Our work with partners is to ensure that promoting gender equity and women’s development must be within our context as well as aligned to global best practice.
The women delegation from Malaita are being led by Rose Liata, Minister responsible for Women in Malaita province, Ms Clera Rikimani as the Women Desk Officer for Malaita province and Martha Rurai, President of the Malaita Province Council of Women.
–MWYCFA PRESS
Island Sun Newspaper Limited is a privately owned daily newspaper in the Solomon Islands. Island Sun launched its first issue on Friday 6th October 2006. It began as a weekly newspaper before going twice a week in early 2007 and later publishing three times a week by the end of the same year. In 2008, Island Sun was published five days a week and later added the Saturday issue in June 2014. Plans are already underway to add a Sunday issue anytime soon.
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