BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

For families of Oliveti, education has become more than just a way to learn.

It has become a way to grow, and as their children continue to walk the mountainous paths to live with relatives in coastal communities to attend school, they carry with them the belief that they, too, can change the world with one lesson at a time.

Settled far from access to education, children from Oliveti community have to leave their parents behind at an early age to go and live with relatives in coastal communities just so they could have a chance at a better and brighter future.

Situated in the centre of the North West Choiseul, Choiseul Province in the Solomon Islands, Oliveti community has been facing a crisis that echoes a growing challenge in many remote areas: the absence of a local school.

The community is without a school of its own and situated in the remote bushlands of North West Choiseul, for them, this means walking far to access education in coastal communities.

Oliveti community is also very much isolated, making it nearly impossible for a school to be established there.

The mountainous landscape presents significant challenges for development, forcing parents to send their children to attend school which means trekking along the rough track for a four-to-six-hour journey to school.

For many children, the journey to school is often one of both physical and emotional endurance.

“I attended Voza Primary School, completing classes one to five. However, after, I decided to quit because of the long way from home and staying away from my parents. But if a school is established here at Oliveti, I will resume my education. I’m more than willing to attend school,” 16-year-old Madalyn Vatokomala recalled.

Despite the hardships, parents in Oliveti view education as the best opportunity for their children to build a better future.

Two of the schools in the coastal communities that the children attend are Voza and Sasamunga Primary and Senior Secondary Schools.

Given the distance, many children have to live with relatives in coastal communities during the school term and become part of their relatives’ households without returning to their families in the village. It is a sacrifice that the children, as well as their families, make to secure an education.

“I went to live with my relatives in the coastal communities to attend education since my childhood, Jackson Qusakesa recollected. As a kid, life was tough, unlike living with your parents. When you return home, you can do anything, cook food or feel free to do as you wish. But living with relatives is different.

“I want a school to be established here so that our children can receive education. That is our plea. The majority of the youths here do not attend school. So, I wish a school is built here,” Mr Qusakesa, who completed his form five at Sasamunga and wishes to pursue his education journey in a Rural Training Centre (RTC), expressed.

While families push for their children to attend schools, it wasn’t always easy. The geography of Oliveti poses a real barrier to education.

“The only way to show support to our children is to send them to live with our relatives on the coast and to visit them as often, walking miles to attend their end-of-year programs and bring them home or whenever we can, bring food or little money for them,” said 53-Nathan Rapekesa.

Until then, families in Oliveti will continue to make the difficult decision of sending their children away, hoping that one day, their children will no longer have to leave their homes in search of education. The need for a school is not just a desire but a pressing necessity for the future of their children and their community.

*Reporting for this story was supported by Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS)

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Casper Diau, Operator and Director of Vilu World War Two Outdoor Museum in Northwest Guadalcanal says he appreciates the government, Minister of Tourism and officers of the ministry for seeing the importance of tourism in the country.

In an interview with the paper late last week, he said they recently received a visit from 14 TV stations from Europe.

Diau said they came to film the museum and get specific documents detailing how the battle of Guadalcanal unravelled in Solomon Islands.

Speaking of battle, he said a lot of people in the world might of have heard about World War 2 and where it happened but they don’t really know how it happened.

“It’s our pride to have this unique history which a lot of the world do not know. While they know about WW2, they don’t know how it actually happened or turned out in Solomon Islands,” he said.

Diau added that people will only understand more about the war when they come to the museum in Solomon Islands and see the relics and the significance of its history.

“When they come and see the relics or reach where the battle was fought, only then can they actually feel a sense of history of the WW2 when it happened here in Solomon Islands,” he said.

Diau said the Visitors Bureau recently travelled abroad to expand marketing in terms of tourism.

“This shows gov’t heart and emphasis in putting more emphasis on tourism, and it shows that visitors are very serious to come into the country,” he said.

Diau said the Visitors Bureau trip will help to inform more people, especially those who want to find Solomon Islands but don’t where it is located.

“Through this, they help people who struggle to find the location of Solomon Islands so it makes it easier for people to know more about Solomon Islands and where the country is located,” he said.

Diau mentioned that their visitors also appreciate Visitors Bureau for their work in Australia as it will help to link Solomon Islands and the rest of the world especially European countries.

He said their visitors who came from Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine appreciate the Ministry of Tourism for preserving relics of the World War 2 battle.

Diau also thanks schools that visited Vilu World War 2 Museum namely; Woodford International School, Visale Community High School and Marist College from Melbourne, Australia.

He said in schools, school principals should ensure that students learn more about the Solomon Islands history during World War 2 instead of what happened in European countries.

Vilu World War 2 Museum is home to a number of relics depicting the events that unfolded during the Second World War as well as documents.

Visitors Bureau is a government entity and a statutory authority that was rebranded as “Tourism Solomons” in 2018 which today is responsible for marketing and promotions for the tourism industry.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

A three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at enhancing financial literacy and leadership skills among leaders of the United Church in Solomon Islands (UCSI) Bilua Circuit concluded successfully at South Vella Lavella last week.

The training brought together representatives from 13 congregations spanning Lajaka to Buleana. Participants included pastors, church elders, congregation treasurers, and treasurers from affiliated organisations such as the Men’s Fellowship, United Church Women’s Fellowship (UCWF), Youth Fellowship, and Sunday School ministries.

Facilitators from Tabaka Technical Institute – Mr. George Ngimaika and Mr. Joash Lawrence – delivered the sessions under the institute’s community outreach programme.

Their presentations covered financial management, transparent record-keeping, stewardship based on biblical principles, effective leadership, team building, and conflict resolution in church contexts.

Bilua Circuit Superintendent Minister, Hasol Makape, applauded the initiative in his closing remarks, saying the workshop delivered timely and essential knowledge to strengthen church ministries and governance.

“This training has come at the right time. It will strengthen our leaders so they can better transform the lives of people in their communities.

“The content also perfectly aligns with our United Church theme for this season: ‘Come Holy Spirit, Transform and Unite Your Church in God’s Mission,” he said.

Participants described the workshop as both eye-opening and practical, noting that they now feel more confident in managing church finances responsibly and providing strong leadership within their congregations.

The Bilua Circuit leadership expressed gratitude to Tabaka Technical Institute for its continued support and said they look forward to further collaboration to strengthen church governance and leadership across Vella Lavella.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Ghaobata Primary School in North Guadalcanal has received grant assistance that will go towards the construction of a classroom building.

Member of Parliament for North Guadalcanal, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai, has described the grant assistance from the Japanese Embassy as a magnificent milestone.

He made the statement in his remarks at a signing of an 80,679 U.S.D grant contract for a Ghaobata Primary School’s classroom building.

Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands H.E. Keiichi Higuchi and the Ghaobata Head Mistress Ms Emillian Papasa signed the grant at the Japanese Embassy office in Honiara on Friday last week.

The project is funded by the Government of Japan through the grassroots grant initiative and facilitated by the Japanese Embassy in Solomon Islands.

“As the Member of Parliament for the people of North West Guadalcanal constituency, I truly thank you for this magnificent milestone for our community. The Ghaobata Primary School project is worth 80,679 USD, which is equivalent to around 664,000 SBD,” Bosawai told Japanese Ambassador H.E. Keiichi.

“Our heartfelt thanks to the people of Japan and your great government for this life-changing investment in our children as well as in our future,” he said.

He said that Ghaobata Primary School stood as a pillar of learning for generations of students in the North Guadalcanal constituency, educating minds, nurturing values, resilience and a sense of belonging among the indigenous people and their neighbours.

Bosawai said the project is a direct investment in the human capital for the community and a critical boost to upgrading classroom resources and facilities for a conducive learning environment for children, teachers and families.

“This project will strengthen school infrastructure, act as a communal hub, supporting parents’ ability to work, pursue livelihoods and participate in the life of the community, while ensuring every child has a fair chance at a brighter future.

“This project embodies that vision. It reinforces our commitment to ensuring every child has access to quality education, while building the foundation for sustainable livelihood in our region or constituency.

“Your support is more than financial assistance. This project is a testament to the enduring friendship between our peoples and our nation, and it reflects a sheer commitment to education development and a brighter tomorrow,” said Bosawai.

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 BY LORETTA B MANELE

We want to see more hydro power in the villages says Casper Fa’asala, CEO of Disabled Peoples Association of Solomon Islands (DPASI).

He raised this whilst speaking as one of the panel members at UNDP and Ministry of Mines Panel Discussion on “Pathways towards better electric power availability, affordability, and sustainability” at the Heritage Park Hotel this month.

Fa’asala said having hydro power in the informal sector can help people with disabilities to be able to create innovations.

“Woodwork, furniture, those are things that disabilities can, again, utilise those powers for. But there is increasing technology devices. The blind can also use their job programmes, which is now available. Having power will be an accessibility for them,” he explained.

Fa’asala also said women with disabilities in the village with access to hydro power can also use electrical sewing machines to help them upgrade their sewing skills as means of raising their income at the community level.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Keiichi Higuchi said education plays a key role in the development of society and the country.

He made the statement during a signing ceremony of a grant worth 80,679 USD from the government and people of Japan to Ghaobata Primary School in North West Guadalcanal.

Ambassador Higuchi and Ghaobata Primary School Headmistress Ms Emillian Papasa signed the contract at the Japanese Embassy in Honiara on Friday last week.

The Japanese Ambassador said on behalf of the government and people of Japan, he is honoured to sign the contract between the Embassy of Japan and Ghaobata Primary School.

“We will support the construction of a classroom building for Ghaobata Primary School. This assistance will provide access to a proper educational environment for people in Ghaobata Primary School,” he said.

He said that supporting basic education is one of the priority areas of Japan’s assistance under the Grassroots and Human Security Scheme.

He also stressed that education plays a key role in the development of society and the country.

“We believe that this project will have positive impacts on the socio-economic development of Solomon Islands.  Hopefully, it will strengthen the cordial relationship between Solomon Islands and Japan.

“With a strong sense of ownership and collective will to improve the lives of children in this community of Ghaobata, I am confident that the project will be successfully and smoothly carried out and reach the goal,” he said.

He said that this project will be remembered as a symbol of the friendship between the people of Japan and the Solomon Islands in the years to come.

The Ambassador said it is a great honour to contribute to the development of the people of Solomon Islands.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to reaffirm our continuous commitment to the people and the prosperity of our two countries,” he said.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Australian Government has provided AUD $227 million to support the Solomon Islands Government’s priorities from July 2024 to June 2025.

The funding is being channelled through Solomon Islands government systems to ensure alignment with the country’s development objectives. The funds are distributed as follows:

• AUD $22 million for general budget support
• AUD $19 million to the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development (MEHRD) to support provincial classroom upgrades
• AUD $17 million to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS)
• AUD $152 million for infrastructure development

The announcement was made by Australia’s Acting High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Andrew Schloeffel, who addressed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week.

Schloeffel reiterated Australia’s strong commitment to supporting the development of the Solomon Islands.

In his remarks, Schloeffel explained that Australia’s assistance program is a mix of on-system and off-system support, designed in close consultation with the Solomon Islands government.

He said on-system support flows directly through the government’s financial systems, ensuring transparency and alignment with national priorities.

However, Schloeffel added some projects are managed off-system due to their complexity or because the Solomon Islands government has requested Australia to directly oversee the project’s delivery.

A key example of off-system support, Schloeffel noted, is the AUD $250 million Naha Urban and Birthing Health Centre, which is being constructed by Australia.

He said given the scale and complexity of the project, it was agreed with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) that Australia would take the lead in managing the project for greater efficiency.

“These examples illustrate how we balance locally-led development with on-system support,” Schloeffel said.

Schloeffel further highlighted the off-system programs that provide broader benefits. One notable initiative is the National Transport Fund, which supports infrastructure development over the past years.

In addition, he also said Australia has funded technical advisors who work directly with various ministries to strengthen Solomon Islands’ institutional capacity.

In particular, Schloeffel pointed to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, where Australian advisors are working on revenue collection, public financial management, budget development, and other key tasks.

“A good example of this is our work in the Ministry of Finance, where we have experts supporting vital functions that strengthen the country’s financial systems,” Schloeffel explained.

In the meantime, the Acting High Commissioner also stressed Australia’s close partnership with the Ministry of National Planning and Aid Coordination, emphasized that all support—whether on-system or off-system would be captured in the Solomon Islands government’s budget documents, ensuring full transparency and accountability.

Photo: Supplied

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