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.
Chairman TARD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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 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.
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.
1.0. PROJECT NARRATIVE 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.
Medical supplies being offloaded from MV Bikoi at Auki wharf in Malaita
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.
Supplies being loaded onto the CSP landcruiser at Auki wharf
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.
Exsley unloading boxes of medical supplies at Gwaunasu'u Village in North Malaita
Main objectives of the North Malaita Community Clinics Medical Supply Initiative include:
1. To improve the medical facilities and items that is used in the four clinics in North Malaita Constituency.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. To promote our understanding and experience in facilitating and coordinating potential community development initiatives with donors, governments, non-government organizations and voluntary bodies.
5. To enable people to value and care for their health facilities whilst improving their awareness on the importance of good health.
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 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.
Curious rural dwellers in North Malaita delighted at the arrival of medical supplies
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.
TARD members (James and Steven) allocating supplies for rural clinics
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 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.
Simon Mau busy arranging boxes of medical supplies for distribution
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.
Lenny, Simon and Lynly handing over supplies to Fo'ondo and Gwaiau clinic reps at Malanaofe market
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.
Left:Traditional community appreciation gift to TARD presented at Malanaofe Market; Right: presentation of supplies at Bita'ama clinic
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.
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.
Left: Bita'ama clinic staff with TARD members with supplies; Right: Handover of supplies to Malu'u Clinic staff
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.
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:
a) 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.
b) 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.
c) Requesting generous donors for funding of clinic expansions and refurbishment, solar panels, equipments, staff quarters, and public health awareness shows, seminars and workshops.
ATTACHMENTS: MEDIA PUBLICATIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT
1. TARD Website, Tuesday October 10 2006. Posted by TARD @ 1:00pm; Source: http://toabaita-authority.blogspot.com/2006/10/new-zealand-organisation-donates.html
2. Solomon Star Newspaper, October 17 2006. "TARD receives medical supplies". Submitted by Arthur Wate @ 11:28am. Source: http://www.solomonstarnews.com/?q=node/10915
3. SIBC Radio, 23/11/2006 @ 19:17 hrs. "NEW ZEALAND GROUP PROVIDES MEDICAL SUPPLIES". Source: http://www.sibconline.com.sb/story.asp?IDThread=149&IDNews=17275
4. TARD Website, Tuesday December 12 2006. Posted by TARD @ 10:21am; Source:
http://toabaita-authority.blogspot.com/2006/12/north-malaita-community-clinics.html
5. Solomon Star, December 13 2006. "Clinics receive medical supplies". Submitted by Arthur Wate @ 12.29pm. Source: http://www.solomonstarnews.com/?q=node/11921
Contact details:
Exsley Taloiburi
TARD Chairman
P.O Box U40, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
Telephone: (679) 9350159
Email: tar_development@yahoo.com
URL: http://toabaita-authority.blogspot.com
