World Vision rep visits projects sites in the Solomon Islands
Sudila De Silva
Earlier this week a representative from World Vision USA, Sudila De Silva, visited the Christian Care Centre and three communities in East Honiara that are working closely with World Vision Solomon Islands.
Despite this being his first visit to the country, Sudila is impressed with the work World Vision is doing in the community.
Sudila, who is the Senior Regional Advisor for South Asia and the Pacific based in Washington D.C (USA), began his visits at the Christian Care Centre, a home to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of abuse.
Sister Phyllis Margaret Sau gave Sudila a tour around the Centre and briefed him of what the organisation is doing and the challenges it faces. The briefing was held at the Rainbow Wing building. World Vision secured funds and spearheaded the construction of the two-storey building, which accommodates bedrooms for clients, a shared open space, a staff room and a counselling room.
Sister Phyllis briefing Sudila and a staff of WVSI (centre) about the Christian Care Centre.
World Vision has been a big supporter of the Centre. Besides providing financial support for the Centre’s operation and furniture, World Vision also provided life skills training for clients.
Sudila also visited Sun Valley, Fulisango and Mamanawata communities (three of the five communities World Vision works in) to see some of the projects that are implemented in Honiara’s outer communities.
Three projects, namely; Water and Sanitation, Hyigene (WASH), Honiara Community Vision for Change (CV4C) and Honiara Youth Development, Employment and Small Enterprise (HYDESEP) project, are implemented in these communities.
Mr Sudila visited a store at Sun Vally community owned by a girl who completed World Vision's bussiness, employment and life skills training.
Though World Vision USA funding is not significant, Sudila says, World Vision is helping to influence the lives of the people it works with.
“World Vision’s mission is to make a better life and future for the children and their families and communities,” Sudila says.
He says he talked with Margret Paea at Lord Howe settlement and can see the hope they have from World Vision’s intervention. Margret is the record-keeper for a savings club in the community.
Mr Sudila at the Lord Howe settlement talking with Margeret , record-keeper of the community's savings club established under World Vision Programs.
World Vision helped established the club. To date, the club saves about SBD$125,000, money which members can access through loans and during share-out at the end of each year.
“We want to see World Vision’s work impact the lives of all the communities,” Sulida says.
Talking about what he learned here, he says the biggest lesson he will take away during his brief visit is how people appreciated the change and development ushered in their communities.
“As a donor (World Vision USA) representative, I was happy to see how each and every dollar that we spent in the community had made a significant change in the lives of the community and children
“This is what I take back to our donors back home in the United States”, Sudila says.