New Design for World Vision Health and Economic Projects
October 17th, 2017 Honiara - World Vision Solomon Islands is working with stakeholders to design two new projects to improve health and promote community economic development in the Solomon Islands. The two new projects are supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
In opening the health design workshop, last week, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner Mick Hassett, said the funding for World Vision is part of Australia’s continued support to improving the health sector in the Solomon Islands.
“Australia sees health as one of the key priority areas that need to be dealt with consistently to enable national development to take place,” said Mr Hassett.
World Vision’s Country Director, Janes Ginting said, “The new Solomon Islands Health Systems Strengthening project will build on lessons learned by the Solomon Islands Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition project, which was an ANCP funded program in Central Islands, Makira and South Malaita.”
Village Health Volunteers are community volunteers who are trained to provide health messages to pregnant women, mothers and children under five years old. They also assist medical staff in conducting community outreach activities.
An evaluation in early 2016 highlighted the impact of Village Health Volunteers with participating communities recording improvements in nutritional intake, exclusive breastfeeding, and a decrease in stunting in Makira, and anaemia in South Malaita.
A second workshop for the design of a market linkage project was opened on Monday, by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Counsellor Economics and Strategy, Jasmine Cernovs.
“World Vision’s community economic development has been successful in providing a vital link between producers and market, and the Australian Government is keen to support economic development in rural areas,” said Ms Cernovs.
Throughout the coming week, World Vision will work with stakeholders to design the market linkage project which will improve financial literacy in South Malaita, Makira and Temotu with savings clubs and help producer groups to improve the quality of their products and access to markets.
The market linkage project continues the work recently completed by the former Solomon Islands Economic Development project, also funded by ANCP that first facilitated the creation of producer and savings groups.