Maanz-tard 2006 Project

North Malaita Community Clinics Medical Supply Initiative December 2006 To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD)

Final Report Exsley Taloiburi, Hilda Maeda-Taloiburi

Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand Inc

Contact details: Exsley Taloiburi TARD Chairman P. O Box U40, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Telephone: (679) 9350159 Email: [email protected]/ [email protected] Website: http://toabaita-authority.blogspot.com

FOREWORD This report and accompanying documentation including various media publications about the North Malaita Community Clinics Medical Supply Initiative marks an important milestone for TARD and also the North Malaita region. A home-grown student initiated voluntary group has successfully pursued and implemented an innovative community health initiative in partnership with a renowned international voluntary organization such as the Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand (MAANZ). I would like to particularly acknowledge the foresight of MAANZ in kindly donating and covering the shipping costs for those forty boxes of medical supplies toward four community health centers in North Malaita, Malaita, Solomon Islands. Appreciation is also extended to other organizations and individuals in Solomon Islands who have made this initiative successful. Exsley Taloiburi Chairman TARD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS On behalf of the To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) student voluntary group and the people of North Malaita, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, we would like to acknowledge the following organizations, donors, and individuals for their genuine contribution in ensuring that this community health initiative was successfully implemented in the rural communities in North Malaita. Without your great assistance, this initiative would never eventuate and our people shall continue to face extreme hardships in terms of achieving better service delivery at our community health centers. Therefore, we are sincerely grateful towards the following organizations and individuals for their collective contribution towards this initiative. 1) The Chairman (Dr. Graeme Woodfield), executive officers (particularly Dr. Gordon Nicholson and others), and the Voluntary Agencies Special Support (VASS) team of the Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand (MAANZ) for having the confidence in TARD by entering into this partnership to kindly donate the forty boxes of medical supplies, and also covering the shipping costs (NZ$239.25) from Auckland to Honiara. Our rural communities, council of chiefs, and leaders have asked us to specifically convey their “thank you” message to MAANZ for the donation, though small has made a significant impact at the four clinics in North Malaita.

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2) Mr. James Maeda and family in Honiara for their assistance of SI$300 in meeting the Customs Clearance charges and transport costs in Honiara, as well as offering space at their home to store the supplies. 3) The AusAid Community Sector Program (CSP) office in Solomon Islands for assisting with land transportation of the medical supplies from Auki Wharf in Malaita to North Malaita. 4) Honourable Daniel Enele Kwanairara, the national Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, for meeting the land transport hire costs to distribute the medical supplies at the four clinics in North Malaita. 5) Mr. John Alulu and family at Gwaunasu’u Village in North Malaita for allowing their home to store the supplies until the distribution day. 6) Mr. Joseph Inomae and reporters at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation national radio, and the editors and publisher of Solomon Star Newspaper for promoting community awareness of the supplies through the media.

ACRONYMS MAANZ VASS CSP TARD SI NZ

Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand Voluntary Agencies Special Support Community Sector Program (Solomon Islands) To’abaita Authority for Research and Development Solomon Islands New Zealand

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0.

Project Summary

4-7

2.0.

Project Results/ Achievements

7-8

3.0.

Lessons Learned

8-9

4.0.

Future Outlook

9-10

5.0.

Attachments: Media Publications

10-15

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1.0.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The project proposal was drafted and submitted by the To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) to the Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand (MAANZ) Chairman in July 2006 after prior consultations. The proposal was submitted as an application requesting the donation of medical supplies from the MAANZ’s Voluntary Agencies Special Support (VASS) towards four rural community health centers in North Malaita, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands.

Left: boxes of medical supplies onboard MV Bikoi before being offloaded at Auki Port, Malaita Island; Right: supplies being loaded onto the CSP Land Cruiser at Auki Wharf.

Four clinics in North Malaita that have been listed as beneficiaries to the initiative include Gwaiau, Fo’ondo, Bita’ama, and the Malu’u Area Health Center. These four clinics have been equally distributed within the North Malaita Constituency serving both the coastal communities and highlanders. Malu’u, Bita’ama, and Fo’ondo are coastal health centers whilst Gwaiau clinic is located in the highlands of North Malaita.

Medical supplies being offloaded at Gwaunasu’u Village in North Malaita awaiting distribution to the excitement of rural children and people

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The problem that we were trying to address is that due to the increasing population in North Malaita, as a result of evicted North Malaita people from Guadalcanal Island during the ethnic crises in Solomon Islands, there have been inadequate medical items and facilities to cater for the increasing need for medical services. Deteriorated medical items and instruments at the health centers has become a pressing issue that affects the well being of rural people in North Malaita. Therefore, a generous donation by MAANZ would greatly improve the medical services that are provided to rural communities in North Malaita at a cheaper cost, enabling people to save money for other important needs. Main objectives of the North Malaita Community Clinics Medical Supply Initiative include:
To improve the medical facilities and items that is used in the four clinics in North Malaita Constituency.
To provide an alternative source of medical assistance through international non-government organizations and volunteer groups rather than relying primarily on the cash-strapped national government for such assistance.
To allow rural people to realize the importance of sending their children to acquire formal education, through the medical assistance that our voluntary student group has facilitated.
To promote our understanding and experience in facilitating and coordinating potential community development initiatives with donors, governments, non-government organizations and voluntary bodies.
To enable people to value and care for their health facilities whilst improving their awareness on the importance of good health.

TARD students arranging boxes in the hired vehicle for distribution on December 2, 2006

As a result, the Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand kindly accepted our request and proceeded with the packing of our supplies. A total of forty boxes including 6 big boxes and 34 small boxes were allocated for the four North Malaita clinics. The medical supplies were shipped from Auckland to Honiara in early September 2006 by the Pacific Freight Management on the vessel, Sofrana Kermadec V125. The vessel departed Auckland Port on September 5 and arrived at Honiara Port on September 31. The local delivery agent of the supplies is Tradco Shipping Ltd 5

in Honiara. The bill of loading number was 28616. These supplies were accompanied by a gift certificate, a list of contents, and each box addressed to Mrs. Veronica Maeda in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Left: TARD’s delivery of supplies to Gwaiau and Fo’ondo clinic representatives; Right: Traditional community gift for TARD being presented by community chief Kukuidei.

The medical supplies were cleared by Mr. James Maeda in early October from Honiara’s Point Cruz Port and stored at his home awaiting our students’ return from Fiji to Solomon Islands in mid November 2006. Stored supplies were opened and rearranged in Honiara before being shipped from Honiara to Auki in Malaita Island on the Vessel MV Bikoi on November 24, 2006. The supplies were accompanied on behalf of TARD by Ishmael Alulu, Lenny Konamauri and Exsley Taloiburi. The shipping freight (SI$481) from Honiara to Auki Port was paid by TARD. Land transportation of the supplies from Auki Town to North Malaita was made possible by vehicle assistance with driver from the AusAid’s Community Sector Program (CSP) office in Solomon Islands. TARD also met the fuel costs, a total of 4 gallons diesel (SI$180), a SI$50 allowance for the vehicle driver, as well as breakfast and lunch (SI$50). The supplies reached North Malaita on November 25 2006 and stored at John Alulu’s residence awaiting distribution to the four clinics earmarked for the assistance.

Left/middle: Delivery at Bita’ama Clinic; Right: Final delivery at Malu’u Area Health Center

During the week, communities were informed of the official distribution on Saturday December 2, 2006. The official distribution was done on December 2 in a 3 tonne vehicle (SF & Sons Transport), which was hired by our Member of 6

Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, Honourable Daniel Enele Kwanairara. Gwaiau and Fo’ondo clinic supplies were distributed at the Malanaofe Community Market where the highland and coastal people usually gather on Saturdays. Both Gwaiau and Fo’ondo clinics received 6 boxes of medical supplies plus a wall clock (TARD gift) each. As a result, the two communities presented a traditional gift of 7 dried “nali nut” bamboos and two 50kg bag taro. This in our culture is very significant considering the short notice given to communities with regards to the distribution date. Bita'ama and Malu'u supplies were delivered at the respective clinics in front of patients, clinic committees and staff. Bita’ama clinic received 7 boxes of medical supplies whilst Malu’u Area Health Center got 21 boxes, as it is the main health center in North Malaita. TARD members who were part of the distribution group are Simon Mau, Lenny Konamauri, Alwyn Danitofea, Lynly Galie, Exsley Taloiburi, Steven Filiomea, Ishmael Alulu, and James Iilu. In receiving the medical supplies, the communities, chiefs, and clinic committees have thanked TARD and MAANZ for initiating such assistance to ease service delivery at the clinics in North Malaita Constituency.

2.0.

PROJECT RESULTS/ ACHIEVEMENTS

Regardless of the fact that this initiative was relatively small in terms of size, coupled with being a first ever TARD community development initiative in partnership with generous donors and support groups, it has achieved widespread appreciation not only among North Malaita communities and leaders, but also from other Solomon Islanders. However, general achievements and results of this initiative are as follows: 1) The medical supplies assistance initiative and encouraging community feedbacks have strengthened the voluntary commitment and cooperation amongst individual student members of TARD and advocators. 2) The donation by MAANZ to North Malaita clinics has aided in the expansion of their voluntary support and assistance to Solomon Islands, particularly Malaita, thus achieving MAANZ goals as well. 3) TARD has used this initiative beside others planned from November 2006 to January 2007, as success stories, to approach potential donors and make breakthroughs for future community development projects. 4) The project has upgraded our understanding and experience on how to facilitate and coordinate future community development initiatives with donors and other stakeholders. 5) The project has attracted collective support and cooperation in terms of other forms of assistance from donors and the leaders of North Malaita. 7

6) The initiative has resulted in efficient health service delivery and relative improvement of items used at the four clinics in North Malaita Constituency. 7) Illiterate rural people and children are aware that there are external sources of assistance for the needy rather than relying solely on the Member of Parliament and the national government for such assistance. 8) The assistance especially from a student voluntary group such as TARD has helped rural people to understand the benefits of attaining quality education by knowing how to prepare proposals and tapping the right sources of assistance. 9) Implementation of such initiative has enlightened the hopes and expectations of rural people for better things to come, as there is a student group that has rural people at heart.

3.0.

LESSONS LEARNED

Upon the successful completion of this community initiative, we have learnt a few lessons that can be used to further strengthen or motivate us in our voluntary effort to contribute to the well being of rural communities in North Malaita. Some of the principal lessons learned include: 1) It is of uttermost importance for outside or foreign donors and voluntary support groups to work in partnership with local groups or communities, if they want to extend their assistance to the rural areas in Solomon Islands. This will aid the rural people in understanding that such assistance or project is owned by the community or region thus, acknowledge and respect it. Local partnership is also useful due to language barrier and cultural differences in remote rural areas such as North Malaita. 2) Most illiterate rural people in North Malaita thought that the only source of community development assistance is from the national and provincial governments, through our elected representatives. However, this recent partnership between MAANZ and TARD has opened the eyes of many rural dwellers in North Malaita that there are genuine national and international donors and support groups who are committed to support the needy and poor. 3) All the rural people in North Malaita do not expect students, as observed from past scholars from North Malaita, to have a vision to assist rural communities beside their primary focus, which is to study. The formation of TARD along with several initiatives being implemented from November 2006 to January 2007 has challenged our leaders and the “grass root” people to recognize and value TARD’s goals.

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4) Working together and cooperation amongst all members is the foundation of achievements and donor recognition of any student voluntary group, which is trying to make vital breakthroughs. Without togetherness and voluntary commitment of time and resources, nothing would eventuate. 5) Partnerships are important for any community development projects or initiatives as costs and expenses are shared. But in order to maintain donor confidence for future community initiatives, assistance in whatever form must be channeled appropriately and received by the target group, as supported by post project or initiative reports that are submitted to respective authorities.

5.0.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

After distribution of the forty boxes of medical supplies to Malu’u, Bita’ama, Fo’ondo and Gwaiau clinics, we have also witnessed first hand needs that exist for a considerable time at the health centers in North Malaita, whereby TARD can pursue with generous donors such as MAANZ and others in the near future, which are health related. Some of them are:  Requesting MAANZ for an Infant Incubator, which is available in stock as of November 2006, to be shipped from Auckland to Honiara at TARD’s expense to be utilized at the Malu’u Area Health Center which serves more than 16,000 people in the North Malaita Constituency alone. There is a great need for such assistance at Malu’u as they also have qualified personnel that can operate such equipment.  Requesting MAANZ and other interested donors, both nationally and internationally, for further medical supply donations in 2007 for the seven or so clinics in North Malaita and Baelelea Constituencies. TARD will ensure to cover the shipping costs, whenever necessary.  Requesting generous donors for funding of clinic expansions and refurbishment, solar panels, equipments, staff quarters, and public health awareness shows, seminars and workshops. WE WOULD THEREFORE APPEAL TO ALL POTENTIAL DONORS, VOLUNTARY SUPPORT GROUPS, RELIGIOUS GROUPS, INDIVIDUALS AND OTHERS, THAT MAY HAVE A HEART IN FUNDING OR PROVIDING SUPPORT IN WHATEVER FORM NECESSARY TO OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTH MALAITA, PARTICULARLY IN THE HEALTH SECTOR TO CONTACT US WITHOUT DELAY, AND WE CAN FORWARD A PROPOSAL TO YOUR DISCRETION.

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Attachments: Media Publications

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2006

New Zealand Organization donates Medical Supplies to North Malaita clinics as part of TARD community project A New Zealand based voluntary organisation has donated forty boxes of medical supplies to four rural clinics in the North Malaita Constituency as part of a community development project by the To'abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD). The medical supplies which consist of medications, instruments, and other needed items were donated by the Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand (MAANZ) which has branches in Auckland and Christchurch. The Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand is a non profit voluntary organisation seeking to assist health work in developing countries through supplying surplus medical and dental supplies and equipments as well as providing back up support where appropriate. MAANZ is recognised by the New Zealand Ministry of Health, and supported by the New Zealand Medical and Dental Associations, the Conference of Churches of Aotearoa, the Red Cross Society, the Pharmaceutical Society, Volunteer Services Abroad, World Vision and others. This is the first major community project that was successfully pursued by the youth initiated volunteer group, known as the To'abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) which is based at the University of the South Pacific's Laucala Campus. TARD is a unique volunteer group that was established last year by North Malaita students who are studying in various institutions in Fiji. The principal goals of TARD are to pursue potential community development aspirations in the North Malaita Constituency, upgrade community awareness on various important issues, and increase capacity building amongst North Malaita people to ensure informed decisions are made on initiatives that will benefit rural people. The proposal containing the requests was submitted to MAANZ in July this year and since then they have ensured that the medical supplies are packed and shipped to Honiara. MAANZ has also endeavored to meet the shipping costs from Auckland to Honiara. The forty boxes of supplies arrived in Honiara on September 31, and is now stored awaiting the students return from Fiji to Honiara next month before being transported to North Malaita for distribution. The four rural clinics that will benefit from this donation include the Malu'u Area Health Center, Bita'ama, Gwaiau, and Fo'ondo clinics. Eventhough the supplies may be inadequate considering the population that needs medical attention at those four clinics; it is believed that these supplies will make a huge contribution to the well-being of service delivery to the rural people of North Malaita. Therefore, on behalf of the members of TARD and the people of North Malaita we would like to officially thank the Executive officers of MAANZ and their team of volunteer specialists for having the confidence and commitment in TARD to assist our rural clinics in North Malaita. We believe that through this relationship, we can be able to access further assistance where appropriate. Posted by TARD @ 1:00 PM; Source: TARD Website authority.blogspot.com/2006/10/new-zealand-organisation-donates.html

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http://toabaita-

TARD receives medical supplies Submitted by Arthur Wate on 17 October, 2006 - 11:28am. Headlines A New Zealand based voluntary organisation has donated 40 boxes of medical supplies to four rural clinics in the North Malaita Constituency as part of a community development project by the To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD). The medical supplies, which consisted of medications, instruments, and other needed items, were donated by the Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand (MAANZ), which has branches in Auckland and Christchurch. The Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand is a non profit voluntary organisation seeking to assist health work in developing countries through supplying surplus medical and dental supplies and equipment as well as providing back up support where appropriate. MAANZ is recognised by the New Zealand Ministry of Health, and supported by the New Zealand Medical and Dental Associations, the Conference of Churches of Aotearoa, the Red Cross Society, the Pharmaceutical Society, Volunteer Services Abroad, World Vision and others. Chairman of TARD Exsley Taloiburi said this was the first major community project that was successfully pursued by the youth initiated volunteer group, known as the To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD). “TARD is a unique volunteer group that was established last year by North Malaita students who are studying in various institutions in Fiji. “The principal goals of TARD is to pursue potential community development aspirations in the North Malaita Constituency, upgrade community awareness of various important issues, and increase capacity building amongst North Malaita people so informed decisions can be made on initiatives that will benefit rural people. “The proposal containing the requests was submitted to MAANZ in July this year and since then they have ensured that the medical supplies are packed and shipped to Honiara,” Mr Taloiburi said. The 40 boxes of supplies arrived in Honiara on September 31, and are now stored awaiting the students return from Fiji to Honiara next month before being transported to North Malaita for distribution. The four rural clinics that will benefit from this donation include the Malu’u Area Health Center, Bita’ama, Gwaiau, and Fo’ondo clinics. Mr Taloiburi said even though the supplies might be inadequate considering the population that needs medical attention at those four clinics, it was believed that these supplies would make a huge contribution to the well-being of service delivery to the rural people of North Malaita. “On behalf of the members of TARD and the people of North Malaita we would like to officially thank the Executive officers of MAANZ and their team of volunteer specialists for having the confidence and commitment in TARD to assist our rural clinics in North Malaita. “We believe that through this relationship, we can be able to access further assistance where appropriate,” Mr Taloiburi said.

Source: Solomon Star Newspaper/Website http://www.solomonstarnews.com/?q=node/10915

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NEW ZEALAND GROUP PROVIDES MEDICAL SUPPLIES 19:17 hrs 23/11/2006

In brief: A New Zealand organisation has donated 40 boxes of medical supplies to four clinics in the North Malaita Constituency. A New Zealand organisation has donated 40 boxes of medical supplies to four clinics in the North Malaita Constituency. The four clinics that will benefit from the donation are Malu'u, Bita'ama, Gwaiau, and Fo'ondo. This is part of a community development initiative by the University of the South Pacific's Laucala Campus based To'abaita Authority for Research and Development, TARD, student group. The medical supplies which consist of medications, instruments, and other items were donated by Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand. Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand is a non profit voluntary organisation seeking to assist health work in developing countries. TARD Chairman Exsley Taloiburi says this is the first community project that was successfully obtained by the group. He thanks Medical Aid Abroad New Zealand for assisting the clinics in North Malaita.

Source: Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) National http://www.sibconline.com.sb/story.asp?IDThread=149&IDNews=17275

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Radio/Website

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2006

North Malaita community clinics received donated medical supplies from TARD Forty boxes of medical supplies kindly donated by the Medical Aid Abroad (MAANZ) organization in New Zealand to four health clinics in North Malaita had been successfully distributed by the To'abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) student voluntary group, on December 2 2006. The medical supplies were shipped from Auckland to Honiara in September by MAANZ which also paid for the shipping costs. The supplies were then stored in Honiara until TARD members returned from Fiji in mid November. The shipping freight from Honiara to Auki for the medical supplies was met by TARD whilst land transportation from Auki to Malu'u was provided by the Australian Government's Community Sector Program (CSP). Distribution of the supplies was carried out on Saturday December 2006 in a hired transport by the Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency, Honorable Daniel Enele Kwanairara. TARD members who were part of the distribution group are Simon Mau, Lenny Konamauri, Alwyn Danitofea, Lynly Galie, Exsley Taloiburi, Steven Filiomea, Ishmael Alulu, and James Iilu. Supplies for Fo'ondo and Gwaiau clinics were distributed at the Malanaofe Market, while Bita'ama and Malu'u were done at the respective clinics. In receiving the medical supplies, the communities, chiefs, and clinic committees have thanked TARD for facilitating such assistance, particularly from a prominent voluntary organization in New Zealand. In response to the community feedbacks, the Chairman of TARD Mr. Exsley Taloiburi also thanked the donors, communities and support groups for having the confidence in a very young voluntary group such as TARD and sharing a youth initiated vision. Posted by TARD @ 10:21 AM; Source: TARD authority.blogspot.com/2006/12/north-malaita-community-clinics.html

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Website

http://toabaita-

Clinics receive medical supplies Submitted by Arthur Wate on 13 December, 2006 - 12:29pm. Nation THE To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) - a student voluntary group has donated thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies for clinics in North Malaita last week. The medical supplies were gifts from the Medical Aid Abroad of New Zealand (MAANZ) and distributed by TARD. TARD chairman Exsley Taloiburi said four health clinics in North Malaita received the donation. They are Fo’ondo, Gwaiau, Bita’ama and Malu’u clinics. He said distribution of the supplies was carried out on Saturday 2 December in a hired transport by the Member of Parliament for North Malaita Constituency Daniel Enele Kwanairara. He said supplies for Fo’ondo and Gwaiau clinics were distributed at the Malanaofe Market, while Bita’ama and Malu’u were done at the respective clinics. In receiving the medical supplies, the communities, chiefs, and clinic committees have thanked TARD for facilitating such assistance, particularly from a prominent voluntary organization in New Zealand. Mr. Taloiburi also thanked the donors, communities and support groups for having the confidence in a very young voluntary group such as TARD and sharing a youth initiated vision. Source: Solomon Star Daily Newspaper/Website http://www.solomonstarnews.com/?q=node/11921

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