North Malaita Clinic Solar Project

North Malaita Health Clinics Solar Electrification Project To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) Final Report

L-R: Mr Michael Hogan handing over solar materials to Bita’ama & Sulagwalu Clinics Generously funded by the Australian High Commission Office in Solomon Islands, under its Direct Aid Program (DAP)

Coordinated by TARD as a gift from the Government of Australia and its people to Bita’ama and Sulagwalu Community Clinics in Wards 7 & 9, North Malaita, Malaita Province, 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 this rural community clinic solar electrification project was successfully implemented in North Malaita. 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) The Australian High Commission office in Honiara, particularly His Excellency Mr Peter Hooton (Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands) and his very friendly staff, for accepting our application to fund the Bita’ama and Sulagwalu Community Clinics Solar Electrification Project under TARD’s coordination with a funding of about SBD$25,965. Without this generous assistance, TARD student volunteer group would not be able to implement this rural initiative successfully, as the funding was utilised to purchase solar panels and accessories plus the installation costs for the Bita’ama and Sulagwalu Clinics in North Malaita. 2) Mr Michael Hogan, the Third Secretary at the Australian High Commission office in Honiara and Coordinator of the Direct Aid Program, for his willingness to travel to Malaita, specifically to North Malaita with TARD representatives from 12th – 14th June 2007 to witness the handing over of the solar materials to the respective beneficiary clinics at Bita’ama and Sulagwalu. TARD is very thankful to Mr Hogan for his understanding, down to earth, and humble character in adjusting well to the rural lifestyle in North Malaita and freely interacting with the grassroot people and unemployed youths during his short but well received trip to our communities. This has been the second time that TARD has successfully facilitated extraordinary visits for staff at the High Commission office in Honiara to North Malaita in line with its projects. Such visits have painted a brighter and positive perspective of the good relationship that exists between the people of Australia and North Malaita or even Solomon Islands as a whole. 3) Ms Gabrielle Stewart, the Third Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Honiara, for her kindness in liaising with TARD prior to and after the submission of our application for funding to the Australian High Commission office in Honiara. 4) Mr David Iro Fulaga, Director of Willies Electrical Company for his assistance in meeting the transport costs for the solar materials from Honiara to North Malaita, as well as allowing his technician Mr Lawrence

1

to accompany TARD representatives to North Malaita from June 12 – 16 2007 to install the solar panels at the two respective clinics. 5) The clinic committees, staff and community members in Bita’ama and Sulagwalu who have taken the initiative to prepare for our arrival to hand over the solar materials. 6) Honourable Daniel Enele Kwanairara for his kind assistance to help meet freighting costs to North Malaita with a substantial donation of SBD$10,000 cash. 7) 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. 8) 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. 9) Finally, TARD is thankful to the Honiara TARD Committee particularly Mr Ishmael Alulu, Walter Waneoroa and Wilson Rafiau for arranging to collect the cheque from Mr Michael Hogan of the Australian High Commission office on behalf of TARD.

1.0. PROJECT NARRATIVE SUMMARY 1.1. Introduction The project proposal for the Bita’ama and Sulagwalu Clinics Solar Electrification Project was drafted by TARD and submitted to the Third Secretary of the Australian High Commission Office in Honiara, Ms Gabrielle Stewart, in February 2007. The proposal was submitted as an application request for funds amounting to a total of about SBD$28,965.00 to be utilised to purchase and transport solar materials from Willies Electrical Company in Honiara to North Malaita to be installed at Bita’ama and Sulagwalu health clinics. Upon receipt of the TARD proposal, regular liaising was effected via email whereby TARD was informed that the application would be considered for funding under the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP). Unfortunately, TARD was notified that the DAP funding would not cover transportation costs for the solar materials, which made up a total of about SBD$3,000. As a result, the application request for funding was reduced from the initial SBD$28,965 to just SBD$25,965.

2

After that, the proposal was forwarded to the attention of Mr Michael Hogan, Third Secretary and also Coordinator of the Direct Aid Program for consideration. Consequently, the application was approved by the Australian High Commission in April 2007 and arrangements were made for the official presentation of the cheque by late May to early June 2007. The brief hand over ceremony of the cheque was undertaken on Friday 8th June 2007 at the High Commission office in Honiara by Michael Hogan and Honiara TARD Committee Members, particularly Ishmael Alulu, Walter Waneoroa and Wilson Billy Rafiau.

Mr Michael Hogan presenting the Cheque to Honiara TARD Members; L-R: Walter Waneoroa, Ishmael Alulu and Wilson Rafiau

The cheque was then transferred over to Mr Exsley Taloiburi (the then TARD Chairman at that time) on Saturday June 9th 2007, by Mr Ishmael Alulu and Walter Waneoroa. On Sunday June 10th 2007, the cheque was handed over to the Director of Willies Electrical and Solar Agents (recommended supplier of solar materials), Mr David Iro Fulaga in Honiara and arrangements were made to collect the solar materials on Monday June 11th 2007.

3

Director of Willies Electrical, David Iro Fulaga receiving the cheque from Ishmael

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 ethnic 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 is becoming a threatening issue that, if not addressed promptly, will implicate the wellbeing of rural communities in North Malaita. As a matter of fact, all the other major clinics such as Malu’u, Fo’ondo, and Gwaiau are currently accessing electricity either through solar, hydropower, or generator. The only two clinics that have informed us of their urgent needs for solar panels and appropriate accessories are Sulagwalu and Bita’ama as there is great need for a sustainable form of electricity to efficiently provide services to patients. Another newly established clinic at Orukalia, near Fulifo’oe Village also lacks electricity but the Community Sector Program (CSP) in Solomon Islands has funded the construction of a permanent clinic building, which would be completed very soon thus, there is hope that solar electrification would be part of that assistance. That is the reason we do not include Orukalia Clinic in this proposal.

4

The clinics that have access to electricity are able to provide adequate lighting to its patients and staff, safe storage of medications in gas refrigerators, usage of High Frequency Radio communication, and carry out blood testing and analysis for illnesses such as malaria, which is very common in North Malaita. This has empowered even the small clinics to efficiently treat common sicknesses and even certain emergency cases, before being transferred to the Malu’u Area Health Centre. However for clinics such as Sulagwalu and Bita’ama, which do not enjoy sustainable electricity, they are not able to admit patients, store medical supplies in fridges and/or analyze blood samples of sick patients. Even small cases have to be referred directly to Malu’u. In fact, Bita’ama already has a solar panel at the clinic but it is only used to power one light and their HF Radio and there is need for another solar panel to be installed in their Malaria Laboratory to enable Malaria tests as Bita’ama Clinic is the second well established health centre after Malu’u. In the past the above needs were not a major problem but recently people have to pay high truck fares to go from either Bita’ama or Sulagwalu to Malu’u for urgent medical attention. To hire a truck in North Malaita from either Bita’ama or Sulagwalu to Malu’u Clinic for emergency cases would cost a minimum of SBD$100. Normal passenger fare exceeds SBD$20. This definitely poses a great difficulty to sick patients, particularly for emergency issues. If you are to walk from Bita’ama to Malu’u clinic it would take at least five hours while walking from Sulagwalu to Malu’u will last about three hours. The distances between these two clinics to the main Malu’u Health Centre is significant and on numerous occasions in the recent past, deaths occur along the road. Therefore, equipping Bita’ama and Sulagwalu Clinics with solar electricity would help to provide sustainable lighting to patients and staff working at night. In addition, they will also have the capability to test and analyze blood samples as well as safely storing medicines in fridges. As a result, a lot of immediate medical cases will be attended to and only serious ones can be forwarded to Malu’u after initial diagnosis. In that way, rural people will also save money and their limited resources, as most of their needs will be attended to just near their villages rather than travelling all the way to Malu’u. Moreover, communities that utilize the medical services at Bita’ama and Sulagwalu clinics are mainly rural dwellers and “grassroot” people, which 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 their only major source of income beside copra and cocoa, 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

5

school fees for their children, decent clothing, basic health services, proper cooking utensils and provision of food. Therefore, funding of the solar materials for the two clinics 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 the Bita’ama and Sulagwalu clinics at a cheaper cost, enabling people to save money for other needs. 1.3. Initial Objectives and expected outcomes of the Clinic Solar Project The initial primary objectives and anticipated outcomes of the Solar Electrification Project for Sulagwalu and Bita’ama Community clinics were: • To enable Sulagwalu and Bita’ama community clinics to have access to solar powered electricity. The expected result was that both clinics would be able to have electrical lighting, refrigeration of medicines, and analysis of blood samples using a light microscope, which is very important in such a region like North Malaita where malaria is very common. •

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

•

To provide an alternative source of health assistance through aid agencies that compliments the work of both the national and provincial governments as well as other groups. The implication was that it would develop wider understanding and appreciations amongst rural communities on genuine donor support thus, value and respect donor initiatives.

•

To implement a cost effective electrification initiative that is easy to manage by rural communities. The expected consequence was that access to adequate electricity at those two clinics will be sustainable as the maintenance cost would be minimal. Also, the proposed training of two technicians to manage the clinic systems will strengthen local capacity building.

6

2.0. HOW TARD IMPLEMENTED THE NORTH MALAITA CLINICS SOLAR PROJECT Prior to approval of the proposal by the Australian High Commission office, 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 funding. Therefore, even when requested funds were approved TARD had already secured adequate financial pledges to assist with freighting costs.

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

After the application was accepted for funding by the Australian High Commission office, TARD immediately liaised with the staff and clinic committees of Bita’ama and Sulagwalu to make arrangement to receive the solar materials from TARD and a representative from the High Commission office. During that same period, media publications were also made through the TARD website, Solomon Star Newspaper and SIBC National radio. The TARD Chairman 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 morning on June 11th 2007, a meeting was arranged at the Australian High Commission office in Honiara whereby the TARD Chairman briefed Mr Michael Hogan on final travel arrangements to North Malaita. A service message and national news was also aired through the Solomon Islands 7

Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) on Monday evening to aware the people of North Malaita and other Solomon Islanders about this very crucial assistance from the Australian High Commission office. The solar materials were delivered to the Honiara Wharf to be transported by TARD to Malaita on Monday afternoon by the Willies Electrical Company. Shipping of the solar materials was undertaken on the MV Renbel vessel. The ship reached Auki at around 0100 hours on Tuesday 12th June 2007 morning and we had to wait for Mr Hogan who would be travelling to Auki from Honiara in the Solomon Airlines flight, arriving at around 0830 hours. Mr Hogan was picked up from the Gwaunaru’u Airfield by the RAMSI Police at Auki and driven to Auki Town where TARD has arranged a brief meeting with the Malaita Provincial government executive, as this is the first time that Mr Hogan will be travelling to Malaita under TARD’s initiative. The meeting kicked off at 0900 hours and ended at 0930 hours. Those who were present include the Malaita Premier (Richard Na’amo Irosaea); Deputy Premier and provincial member for North Malaita ward 8, Mr Edwin Suibaea; Deputy Speaker and member for North Malaita ward 6, Mr Silas Talota; Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Rural Livelihood and member for North Malaita ward 9, Mr Senley Levi Filualea; and another provincial member. Mr Hogan used the briefing to assure the government of Malaita of the Australian Government’s commitment to support in the development of the province, as witnessed with its work with TARD towards North Malaita rural communities.

L-R: Michael Hogan, Malaita Premier Mr Irosaea, Deputy Speaker Mr Talota, Deputy Premier Mr Suibaea, Minister for Agriculture Mr Filualea & another unnamed member.

8

Mr Hogan was then driven to North Malaita along the North Road along with the TARD Chairman, Mr Exsley Taloiburi in a three tonne vehicle that was hired by TARD. We reached Bita’ama Clinic in ward 7 at 1500 hours as expected. 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.

Left: A traditional warrior performing the welcome greetings to Mr Michael Hogan; Right: Michael giving his speech to the people at Bita’ama.

9

Chairman of the Bita’ama Clinic Committee receiving the solar panel from Mr Hogan

Left: A clinic staff presenting a traditional gift of a tree bark woven bag and war shield, as a token of appreciation to Michael Hogan; Right: Officials at a small refreshment prepared by the clinic committee to end the program at Bita’ama.

As part of the project, we have to drop the solar technician from Willies Electrical and Solar Agents, Mr Lawrence at Bita’ama Clinic to install the solar on Wednesday June 13th 2007. In addition to that we have also asked the clinic committee to identify a trustworthy person to undertake training at the Willies Electrical School, with fees covered under the project to maintain the solar panel at Bita’ama to ensure its sustainability. As a result, the solar panel was

10

connected to provide lighting and enable blood analysis in the laboratory building of the clinic and it was already functioning properly as of Wednesday June 13th 2007 afternoon. The person that the clinic committee have identified for the training is Mr Andrew Fagi. After that we have to call it a day as it was already late and rain was falling heavily. TARD has arranged for Mr Hogan to spend the night on Tuesday 12th June 2007 at a lodge at Malu’u Station known as the Grassroots Lodge. On Wednesday morning (June 13th 2007), TARD hired another vehicle to pick Mr Hogan at Malu’u and drove him to handover the remaining solar panel and accessories to Sulagwalu Clinic in ward 9.

Mr Hogan sitting in the cabin of the truck as it makes its way to the Sulagwalu Clinic

About 50 meters from the clinic, the truck was again stopped and we were led by a cultural dancing group along the Taba’a River, just near the Sulagwalu Clinic.

The cultural dancing group that welcomed us at Sulagwalu Clinic

11

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; Australian High Commission representative, Mr Michael Hogan; 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 who also performed during the TARD Christmas Games in Malu’u on December 20-23 2006. A welcome and a farewell song were performed by the Sulagwalu youth group. After the official handover, a traditional gift of a tree bark woven bag and shell money were presented to Mr Hogan as a token of gratitude for the Australian High Commission’s kind assistance to Sulagwalu Clinic. The program was ended with refreshment for officials.

Michael and other invited officials being garlanded in front of Sulagwalu Clinic

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

12

AHC representative Mr Michael Hogan handing over solar materials to the Sulagwalu nurse

L-R: Exsley and Michael with their traditional gifts & Michael chatting with the provincial member for ward 9 (Hon Levi Filualea) during refreshment

After the program, Michael Hogan was dropped off at Malu’u Station around lunch time where he was driven by the Malu’u Police and later met up with Auki Police along the way, which transported him to Auki on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Hogan spent the night in Auki before flying over to Honiara on Thursday morning (June 14th 2007). The solar panel at Sulagwalu was connected and installed by the technician from Willies Electrical and it was operating successfully even by Friday 15th June 2007. The clinic committee has also identified a person who will be responsible to maintain the clinic solar panel.

13

3.0.

SUCCESS OF THE NORTH MALAITA SOLAR PROJECT

The North Malaita Solar Electrification Project for Bita’ama and Sulagwalu, which was kindly funded by the Australian High Commission office in Honiara, 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 Australian High Commission’s funding of the clinic solar electrification project 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 TARD and Mr Michael Hogan of the Australian High Commission’s office in Honiara under TARD’s arrangement. The brief meeting was crucial as it creates an avenue whereby the Australian High Commission representative could use to aware the provincial premier and his executive about the opportunities available and commitment to helping Solomon Islanders prosper. The views and concerns of the Malaita provincial government were also expressed during this short meeting whereby the Premier also thanked TARD for facilitating such initiatives to the grassroots people of North Malaita.

TARD Chairman, Exsley Taloiburi (far right) with the Malaita Provincial executive

3.2. Donor recognition of TARD’s volunteer work in North Malaita The successful implementation of the solar project has helped TARD to gain further trust and confidence amongst the donor body and networks. This was

14

evident with the continuous commitment and support that the Australian High Commission office in Honiara has rendered to TARD by increasing the sponsorship from SBD$3,680 for the 2006 North Malaita Christmas Games to nearly SBD$26,000 for the solar project for both Bita’ama and Sulagwalu Clinics. 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. 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 two clinics at Bita’ama and Sulagwalu to witness the handing over of the solar materials to the respective clinics. It was also very encouraging that despite the difficulties in effective communication linkages between the two rural community clinics with the TARD executive who are based in Fiji, there have been very well planned preparations to welcome Mr Hogan in North Malaita. 3.5. Promotes positive perspective of Australia’s good work in Solomon Islands Finally, the continuous support of community development work in North Malaita coupled with the Australian High Commission office’s willingness to send their representative to the rural villages in North Malaita to talk directly to the people has painted a positive and good perspective, reputation and image of the genuine work that the Australian government on behalf of its people is doing in the Solomon Islands, despite contradictory reports. 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 still well intact.

15

ATTACHMENT The following are items that were delivered to the Bita’ama and Sulagwalu Clinics under the Australian High Commission funding of around SBD$25,965. Quantity 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Description A-BPS-065 Watt Solar panel @ 12 volts 10 Amp Regulator with Solar ready made Solar frame 11 watt x 12 volt lamp ready made with all fitting provided Microscope blood dryer aluminium type Mums lights with 7 watt light and fitting HGL 145 AH SLA Battery

16