Afap-tard 2007 Project

North Malaita 2007 Medical Supply Enhancement Project To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) Final Report

Rural children at Arao Clinic in West Baelelea gather in front of medical supplies for Arao

A Generous donation from the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP), under its Medical Supplies and Services Program

Recipient Clinics: Arao, Fo’ondo, Gwaiau, Bita’ama, Orukalia, Malu’u & Sulagwalu, Wards 6-9, North Malaita, Solomon Islands

Compiled by: Exsley Taloiburi (Mr) TARD Technical Advisor/ Project Coordinator University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia Phone: +61437642032 Email: [email protected] Website: http://toabaita-authority.blogspot.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) student/youth volunteer group would like to acknowledge the following authorities and individuals for their genuine contribution in one way or another to ensure the “North Malaita 2007 Medical Supply Enhancement Project” was successfully implemented within the seven recipient rural clinics. Without your assistance, this initiative would never eventuate. Therefore, TARD is sincerely grateful towards the following bodies and individuals for their collective contribution in one way or another towards this initiative. 1) Mr Luke Johnston, AFAP’s Country Program Manager in Solomon Islands for his willingness and commitment to recommend TARD’s application requesting medical supplies’ assistance for seven rural health clinics in the North Malaita and Lau/Baelelea Constituencies. Without his support and encouragement, this initiative would never eventuate. TARD is also thankful to other AFAP staff/volunteers in Honiara, particularly Wren Chadwick and the Aligegeo youth group volunteers who have assisted in one way or another to this project. 2) The team of hardworking volunteers and administration staff at the AFAP’s main office in Australia for accepting our application and eventually packing a container of medical supplies for the seven clinics in North Malaita. TARD is really touched with the significant donation that your office has generously given for the wellbeing of poor and unfortunate rural people in North Malaita under this initiative. 3) The Rotary Club in Honiara (Solomon Islands) and other good will supporters who have willingly assisted TARD and AFAP with this project by covering the transportation costs of the container from Australia to Honiara; Customs clearance in Honiara; and safe storage at Kukum awaiting unloading. 4) The hard working North Malaita boys that volunteered to unload the container in Honiara as well as accompanying the TARD Chairman with the supplies to North Malaita. 5) Mr Joseph Inomae and Mr Lenny Dalavera of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) National radio for covering the assistance through the media in various programmes. 6) The clinic committees, staff and community members of the seven clinics including Arao, Fo’ondo, Gwaiau, Bita’ama, Orukalia, Malu’u and Sulagwalu who have taken the initiative to prepare for our arrival to hand over the supplies.

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7) Honourable Daniel Enele Kwanairara, Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, for his kind assistance to help meet freighting costs to North Malaita with a substantial donation of SBD$10,000 cash. 8) Mr Leliana Daowana Firisua and Michael Maena of the Small and Medium Enterprises Council of Solomon Islands (SMEC) for their assistance of SBD$1,500 cash donation to TARD to assist with freighting costs. 9) Mrs Betty Fakarii, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Rural Development for her individual donation of AUD$50; and Mr Philip Kanairara, a To’abaita law student in Vanuatu for his donation of FJD$50.

1.0. PROJECT NARRATIVE SUMMARY 1.1. Introduction The project proposal for the North Malaita Medical Supply Enhancement Project was drafted by TARD and submitted to the AFAP’s Country Manager in Solomon Islands, Mr Luke Johnston, in January 2007.

AFAP Solomon Islands Country Manager, Mr Luke Johnston with supplies in Honiara

The proposal was submitted as a request for medical supplies for seven rural community health centres in North Malaita from the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP), under its Medical Supplies and Services Program. Upon receipt of the TARD proposal, regular liaising was effected via email whereby TARD was informed that the application was accepted providing a list of supplies and equipments that are available to be donated. After that, the supplies were packed by staff and volunteers at the AFAP office in Australia and loaded into a container to be shipped to Honiara. The container 2

(Number: TRLU 236825 7) of medical supplies was eventually shipped from Australia on the Sofrana Kermadec Vessel (Voyage number 131) on April 28th 2007 and reached Honiara around mid May 2007. The total container value was estimated around SBD$300,000 (~AUD$56,000).

The container of medical supplies just before unloading at Kukum, Honiara

Upon arrival in Honiara, the container was cleared from Customs and transported for temporary safe storage at a Rotary site at Kukum, at the back of the Kukum Malaria Research centre near Woodford International School. Shipping costs from Australia to Honiara; Customs Clearance costs in Honiara; and transportation costs from Honiara Port to Kukum was covered by Rotary assistance and other support groups. The container was temporarily stored at Kukum awaiting collection by TARD on June 11th 2007 before being transported to North Malaita for distribution to the seven beneficiary clinics. 1.2. The problem TARD was trying to address In the North Malaita region, like elsewhere, access to better health facilities is a basic human right for individuals and is of uttermost importance to the livelihood of rural communities. However, due to lack of resources and unequal distribution of development benefits access to standard medical facilities is not fully realized in most of the clinics in North Malaita. Considerable population growth along with over-crowdedness of evicted North Malaita people from Guadalcanal immediately after the tension in Solomon Islands has resulted in the unavailability of adequate medical items and facilities to cater for the rising demand for basic health services. Deteriorated and/or lack of equipments and medication is becoming a threatening issue that, if not addressed promptly, will implicate the wellbeing of rural communities in North Malaita. In addition, communities which utilize medical services at the seven clinics listed as beneficiaries to this community health development assistance are mainly rural dwellers and “grassroot” people that depend entirely on subsistence farming and fishing to earn at least a substandard living. They usually sell the surplus fresh produce or fish catch at a very low price at the weekly rural markets. This is

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their only source of income since there are less employment opportunities in the rural areas. With the small income they derive from selling their farm produces and fish catches, they must ensure to support their families in meeting basic needs such as paying school fees for their children, decent clothing, basic health services, proper cooking utensils and provision of food. Therefore, the requested medical supplies would serve as a breakthrough for the hard work and commitment that respective clinic committees have endured to maintain the under equipped clinics. As a result it would greatly improve the medical services provided to rural communities at all the clinics at a cheaper cost, enabling people to save money for other needs. 1.3. Strategy used to identify and plan this project This community health development initiative is a classic example of the Solomon Island Government’s bottom-up approach as the specific needs are identified by the rural clinics themselves. The urgent need for medical supplies and equipments is a collective resolution from the communities, clinic committees and staff including men, women and youths. The wish list was drafted in paper and passed onto TARD to further pursue, as one of our principal goals is to bridge the gap between illiterate rural communities in North Malaita and potential donors by pursuing genuine community development projects, since we are the educated elites of North Malaita. It is of uttermost importance for communities to be given the opportunity to identify and design potential development projects in contrary to the concept of being done from a top-down approach. This is appropriate so that communities can respect and value such assistance as being owned by them. 1.4. Project location The seven (7) community health centres that will benefit from this project are equally distributed and cover two national constituencies namely North Malaita and Lau/Baelelea, at the northern tip of Malaita Island, Solomon Islands (fig 1). Arao and Sulagwalu Community clinics are located in the Lau/Baelelea Constituency and serve a total population of around 10,000. The two clinics are located near the coast and main infrastructures but provide medical service to both highland and coastal dwellers (Fig 2). Malu’u, Bita’ama, Orukalia, Gwaiau, and Fo’ondo clinics are all located within the North Malaita Constituency and serve a total population of more than 16,000 people, a drastic increase after the ethnic tension from around 12,000. Malu’u is the main Area Health Centre in North Malaita which is working towards a mini hospital status and is situated at the main station in North Malaita with access to hydropower and generator electricity. All except Gwaiau are located on the coastal area just near the main road and provides service to both highland and

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coastal dwellers as well. Gwaiau is the only highland community clinic but recently has been solar electrified. Fo’ondo and Bita’ama also have access to solar electricity through donor assistance (Fig 2).

North Malaita

Fig 1: General Map of the Solomon Islands with Malaita Island

Orukalia clinic

Malu’u clinic Sulagwalu clinic

Bita’ama clinic Fo’ondo clinic

Gwaiau clinic Arao clinic

Fig 2: Locations of the seven clinics within the North Malaita region

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1.5. Project goals and expected results The primary goals and anticipated outcomes of the Medical Supplies Enhancement Project for North Malaita rural community clinics were: •

To improve medical equipments and general services that was available at the clinics in North Malaita. The anticipated output was that it would enable rural people that use those clinics to access better medical services and facilities at a cheaper cost, as it is closer to their homes.

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To provide an alternative source of health assistance through aid agencies that compliments the work of the national government. The implication was that it would develop wider understanding and appreciation amongst rural communities on genuine donor supports thus, value and respect donor initiatives.

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To enable people to value and care for their health facilities whilst improving their awareness on the importance of good health. The expected outcome was that it would ensure that future generations are able to thrive and develop in our collective effort to help communities become self-sustained.

Women who use services at the Malu’u Clinic gladly carry supplies to the Clinic area

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2.0. HOW TARD IMPLEMENTED THE PROJECT INITIATIVE This community health enhancement project was implemented by TARD in partnership with the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP) office in Solomon Islands, particularly Luke Johnston and his staff, and other generous stakeholders. Prior to arrival of the container in Honiara, TARD through student member financial contributions had taken initial initiatives to seek extra financial donations to help with the freighting costs from Honiara to North Malaita, as this was not covered under the project donation. Therefore, even when the container has reached Honiara TARD had already secured adequate financial pledges to assist with freighting costs and other distribution logistics.

Ishmael Alulu of TARD collecting a donation of $1,500 from the SMEC Office in Honiara

After the container has arrived and was temporarily stored in Honiara, TARD immediately liaised with the staff and committees of the seven (7) recipient clinics to make arrangement to receive the solar materials from TARD. During that same period, media publications were also made through the TARD website, Solomon Star Newspaper and SIBC National radio. The TARD Chairman (Exsley Taloiburi) and Project Coordinator also had to take voluntary leave from studies in Fiji and pay for his own return air tickets to come over to Honiara just to coordinate the implementation of this project. On Monday, June 11th 2007, the container was opened at Kukum by AFAP and Rotary staff in Honiara whereby the contents were unloaded by TARD through its volunteers and another youth group from the Aligegeo area in Malaita Province. The supplies were immediately transported in a truck hired by TARD in four trips to the Point Cruz Wharf to be shipped to Auki (Malaita) on MV Renbel on Monday evening.

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The TARD volunteers who assisted in unloading the container contents in Honiara

Some of the boxes of medical supplies being emptied from the container for North Malaita

On Monday evening (June 11th 2007), a service message and national news were aired through the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) radio to aware the people of North Malaita and other Solomon Islanders about this very crucial assistance from AFAP.

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The supplies being loaded onto MV Renbel with TARD volunteers accompanying supplies

The ship reached Auki at around 0100 hours on Tuesday 12th June 2007 morning costing TARD a total freight of SBD$5,000. The supplies were then transported from Auki to North Malaita in three 3 tonne trucks hired by TARD, each costing SBD$1,500 (total cost was SBD$4,500).

The supplies being loaded onto three 3 tonne trucks to be transported to North Malaita from Auki Wharf (Malaita)

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We reached the first recipient clinic, Arao, in provincial ward 6 (West Baelelea) at 1300 hours as expected and distributed supplies to the clinic nurse, clinic committee members, and other community people.

Arao Clinic nurse carrying supplies into the clinic after the handover ceremony

The second clinic that we reached was Fo’ondo in Malaita provincial ward 7 and the supplies were handed over around 1400 hours (Tuesday June 12th 2007) to the clinic nurse, committee and village members who witnessed the brief handover ceremony.

Supplies being handed over to Fo’ondo Clinic to the nurse and committee members

The third recipient clinic that we distributed supplies to was, Gwaiau, which is located in the highlands of North Malaita (about 5 hours walk from the coast). We arranged for their supplies to be collected by their community members just in front of their community meeting house along the coastal area. 10

Some of the Gwaiau community members who received supplies on behalf of the Clinic

We reached the fourth beneficiary clinic in ward 7, Bita’ama, at 1500 hours on Tuesday afternoon (June 12th 2007). As soon as we reached the vicinity of the clinic, they have to stop us about 100 meters from the clinic and led by a cultural dancing group which comprises young boys. People from nearby villages were also present to witness the handover ceremony and the program lasted for more than one hour including speeches, a tour of the clinic facilities, cultural entertainment, the official handover and a refreshment to end the program.

Left: The cultural dancing group that led us from the main road to the clinic; Right: Part of the enthusiastic crowd who witnessed the handover ceremony at the Bita’ama Clinic.

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Bita’ama Clinic Committee Chairman receiving supplies from Exsley Taloiburi (TARD Chairman)

After that we have to call it a day as it was already late and rain was falling heavily. On Wednesday morning (June 13th 2007), TARD hired another three tonne truck (costing SBD$250) to deliver supplies to the remaining clinics at Malu’u (ward 8), Orukalia (ward 8) and Sulagwalu (ward 9).

Supplies being loaded on Wednesday morning (13/6/07) by volunteers to be distributed

The first clinic that we delivered medical supplies to on Wednesday (June 13th 2007) was Malu’u, which is the main Area Health Centre for the whole of North Malaita.

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Maluu Clinic nurses and community members with supplies delivered to Malu’u Clinic

After the delivery at Malu’u, we reached Orukalia Clinic in ward 8 at 0800 hours and distributed supplies to the clinic nurse and other community members who were present to receive the assistance.

Medical supplies being delivered to Orukalia Community Clinic in Ward 8 by TARD

The last recipient clinic that we delivered supplies to was, Sulagwalu Clinic in ward 9. About 50 meters from the clinic, the truck was stopped and we were led by a cultural dancing group along the Taba’a River, just near the Sulagwalu Clinic.

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The cultural dancing group that welcomed us at Sulagwalu Clinic

The handover ceremony at Sulagwalu lasted for about two hours as there were speeches from the Clinic nurse, Mr Patrick Osifale; Chief’s representative; Women’s representative; RAMSI representative; provincial member for ward 9 Hon Senley Levi Filualea; TARD Chairman; and Malaria and Medical Officers from Malu’u. Other entertainment during intervals was provided by a contemporary dancing girls group from Gwaunasu’u Village. A welcome and a farewell song were performed by the Sulagwalu youth group. After the official handover, the program was ended with refreshment for officials.

Other invited officials being garlanded in front of Sulagwalu Clinic during the handover ceremony

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L-R: Elders who lined up the road to welcome the officials & The Gwaunasu’u dancers

TARD Chairman, Exsley Taloiburi (right) handing over supplies to the Sulagwalu nurse

Left: community members carrying supplies; Right: The Malu’u Health Senior Officer during refreshment

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3.0.

SUCCESS OF THE AFAP/TARD PROJECT INITIATIVE

The North Malaita Medical Supply Enhancement Project 2007, which was kindly funded by the Australian Foundation for Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP), was tagged by many North Malaita people living in Honiara, overseas and in the rural communities as most successful and crucial in the development of health services in North Malaita. 3.1. Recognition and appreciation from the Malaita Provincial Government Through the AFAP donation of such a significant supply of medical items and equipments along with other initiatives, TARD has managed to gain the attention and recognition of the Malaita Provincial Government. That was evident with the high level provincial executive that met briefly with the TARD Chairman in Auki on Tuesday morning (June 12th 2007), whereby the Premier conveyed his executive’s gratitude to genuine donors such as AFAP as well as youth volunteer groups such as TARD for facilitating such initiative to the grassroots people of North Malaita.

L-R: Malaita Premier Richard Na’amo Ramosaea; Deputy Speaker and provincial member for ward 6, Silas Talota; Deputy Premier and member for ward 8, Edwin Suibaea; Levi Senly Filualea (Minister of Agriculture and member for ward 9); another un-named member and TARD Chairman, Exsley Taloiburi (far right).

3.2. Donor recognition of TARD’s volunteer work in North Malaita The successful implementation of the North Malaita Medical Supply Enhancement Project along with other previous and current community initiatives have helped TARD to gain further trust and confidence amongst the donor body and networks. The genuine voluntary commitment, cooperation and hard work that TARD puts into any community project that it pursues from the planning to implementation phase, regardless of the fact the TARD is merely a student/youth volunteer group, highlights the seriousness of the TARD membership in achieving its goals and objectives.

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3.3. Encouraging financial support from various North Malaita leaders TARD is a volunteer, non profit student/youth group that does not have access to any administrative funding. It only relies on its student member contributions and goodwill donations from various North Malaita leaders to ensure that its community development projects are implemented successfully. Following TARD’s transparency and accountability of handling previous projects either in cash or materials, there has been a very positive and encouraging financial support from various North Malaita leaders to fund the transportation costs from Honiara to North Malaita and other logistical support. This is a clear indication of North Malaita leader’s appreciation of the genuine and good voluntary work that TARD, as a student group is trying to do with regards to helping rural communities in North Malaita. 3.4. Great and enthusiastic public support and appreciation Through this project coupled with other past community projects that TARD has already successfully coordinated, there has been a wide public support of TARD’s goals and vision. This was evident with the number of people who turned up at the seven clinics to witness the handing over of medical supplies to the respective clinics. It was also very encouraging that despite difficulties in effective communication linkages between rural community clinics with the TARD executive who are based in Fiji, there have been very well planned preparations to receive the supplies. 3.5. Promotes positive perspective of Australian NGO’s good work in Solomon Islands Finally, the continuous support of community development work in North Malaita in such a calibre of significance by Australian donors and non-government organisations has painted a positive and good perspective, reputation and image of the genuine work that the Australian groups on behalf of its people is doing in the Solomon Islands. Rural North Malaita people have begun to understand that despite the political disagreements between the heads of Solomon Islands and Australia, the “people-to-people” relationship between Australians and Solomon Islanders is very well intact.

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ATTACHMENT The following supplies/equipments are the contents of that container that was donated by AFAP to TARD to help seven rural clinics in North Malaita. Description Cabinet (filing 4 drawer) Cabinets Bedside Desks IV Stands Trolley (patient) Mattresses Wheelchairs (children) Chairs (plastic stacking) Medical supplies Syringes Hypo needles Spectacles Birthing kits

Quantity 7 7 7 2 7 7 13 7 95 boxes 28 boxes 21 boxes 10 boxes 4 boxes

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