These Islands were some of the most needy and isolated islands in Temotu province and Solomon Islands.
Because of their Isolation, they hardly received Government services.
Early this month from 8th to 10th of October ADRA reached these outer Islands namely Matema, Nufani, Nukafu, Fileni and Nifiloni.
Henry Kana, who is the team leader stated that the visit was part of ADRA’s mobilization trip to conduct meetings with the communities and discuss about water project which includes rain catchment that these Islands will receive through ADRA funded by RAMP.
Mr Kana expressed that these islands are truly in great need of clean and safe drinking water.
“The lifestyle on these islands are really challenging, according to the Islander’s, their main food was coconut, fish and banana.
“Sometimes they run out of drinking water for 2-3 months and they had to drink from coconut fruit or Brackish water from well that is also a health risk,” he said.
ADRA Solomon’s had twenty 28 projects approved from the Rural advancement micro project (RAMP) and are going to work with almost 60plus communities nationwide and these Tokana Islands were part of the adra project.
During the meetings ADRA director, Barry Chapman said the implementation process is of paramount importance because they were given a time frame to complete these projects. He also stated that reporting process is also important and appeals to community member’s to properly record the hours and all paper works related to this project.
The ADRA director explained the memorandum of understanding (MOU), what is expected from community and ADRA as partner are clearly spelled out in the MOU.
It is a guide to govern our work as we go forward in the implementation process.
Mr
Chapman said that he is pleased to see that women and children including men
who are happy and satisfied in ready to receive water once the project is
completed.
The director highlighted that proper sanitation is a problem in every
communities visited. Therefore as part of the project ADRA will make
demonstration toilets in accordance with RWSS standard plan.
He concluded by saying that ADRA is about helping people and communities in need for water and sanitation.
“We might not help everybody at the same time but we are one of the agencies that helped lessening water problems faced by many communities in the Solomon Islands and also bring positive change in lives of many. Let us work together in accomplishing these projects.”
During the trip the ADRA team were accompanied by Lata Hospital Nursing Director, Agustin Bilve, Mary Lausaka community base rehabilitation Coordinator (CBR) for the province and Pr George Auna a church rep.
In the meetings held Agustin Bilve who is the director of nursing in Lata acknowledged ADRA for its assistant through Ramp project for his people who is in great need of safe drinking water.
He pointed out that water is very important for the body.
The nursing director stated that the provincial health department will work close with ADRA including the Provincial Government in the implementation of this project.
He encourages the communities to work together with two organisations in order that the project is successful.
Therefore he appeal to his people to make community contribution in full as described per in-kind Contribution.
Mary Lausaka, CBR coordinator during the visit talked about women and water.
She stated that women are the most users of water therefore there should be proper representation of member’s in any committee that deals with water or gender balance in any committee that exists in the community.
“Women must be heard, they must contribute in any community meetings.”
Chief & Elders of Tokana thanked Adra team and Lata health team for the worthy trip that will help solve problem related to water.
Chief Eddie Mathew of Nifiloi encourages his people to work together in the Implementation of the project.
He assured the team that his community is ready to work.
Mr Kana calls on all the communities who partners with ADRA throughout Solomon Islands to work together on this project and have positive attitude because we have limited time to complete all projects.
There will be a successful handover once the project is completed.
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