Dear Editor – Writing from Thailand, I can comment more objectively when mentioning initiatives in the Solomon Islands which I perceive to be praiseworthy.
A case in point, to begin, has been the staged week-long reconciliation ceremonies as a first step towards national healing.
I believe the DCCG’s initiative in hosting the ceremonies was justified despite those who, subjectively, expressed strong feelings, opinions and judgments about the real value of the various healing ceremonies.
As Father John Patteson Ngalihesi reportedly said. “Addressing the past grievances would better enable the Solomon Islands to deal with other important issues facing the country’s economy, politics and governance.”
In the past few days 22 month old, Charlie Rao, and his mother Mary Ribe, were flown to Canberra from Honiara as part of Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children program (ROMAC).
Charlie was born with an intestinal disease which necessitates surgery in Australia.
Charlie is expected to spend three months in hospital after his lifesaving operation and the intervention of all those doctors assisting in the Solomon Islands and ROMAC) deserve much appreciation and praise for their intervention on Charlie’s behalf.
In respect of medical assistance from Australia, a team of Australian medical doctors will be visiting Gizo Hospital on a surgical trip from the 24th of this month until the 30th.
It is believed the medical team will conduct colorectal surgery and medical problems relating to the jaw and face.
Again, this proposed visit highlights the gratitude one owes to the Australian medical doctors who regularly visit the Solomon Islands and who operate and give their services free.
A Charitable None Government Organisation in Malaita that deals with orphan children last week paid visits to areas in West Kwaio, Malaita Province.
Hearts of Hope (HOH) president Janet Justice Aihari told the Sunday Star they went there as part of their visitation and to conduct more awareness to orphans and widows about the group.
More than 50 widows and orphans attended the awareness.
Mrs Aihari said that they were really happy to get to those communities as part of their work to reach out and support orphans and widows who needed the group’s support.
HOH is largely reliant on donations and support and assistance in terms of clothing, mattresses, bedding, bed sheets, towels and blankets.
With help from the New Zealand Charitable Trust ‘Take My Hands’ (TMH) I am hopeful that a 20 ft container of supplies to help the HOH will soon be arriving in Honiara.
More details of this initiative will be made public shortly.
I believe the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources deserves credit for its West Russell Communities Marine Resources Conservation program.
A ban on marine products is currently in place in three communities in West Russell Islands. They are Karumulun, Marulaun and Baisen communities.
This program carried out by the Marine and Fisheries officials is aimed at conserving local marine resources and encouraging fish to begin to breed as well as other marine resources.
Making the best use of resources, often discarded ones, has been proven in Rennell Province where Stewart Maui and two business partners from Malaita have used old logs left behind by logging companies and turned them into beautiful pieces of furniture, including tables, cushion chairs, chairs, shelves and beds.
People in the province are also happy because they can now get furniture at home instead of footing costly freights from Honiara via passenger ships.
An initiative of practical help to the community worthy of praise.
The introduction of the use of breathalyzers by the RSIPF is a timely initiative (first recommended in 1998 but not adopted by the then Solomon Islands Government).
The initiative is praiseworthy and it is very much hoped the public will heed the warnings not to drink and drive.
Deaths and accidents on the road in which alcohol has been a factor have been all too common for several years and preventative action by the use of breathalyzers, coupled with stringent penalties, should reduce the number of incidents, if only the motoring public will comply.
Yours sincerely.
Frank Short
www.solomonislandsinfocus.com
