Strong Mothers, Bright Futures: Community-Led Action for Maternal and Child Well-being

For many years, expectant mothers in the remote villages of North Malaita faced a difficult reality. Health clinics were often too far away, nurses were unavailable, and many women gave birth at home without skilled medical support. These challenges placed both mothers and newborns at unnecessary risk.

Today, that story is beginning to change.

Through the World Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI) Maternal and Child Health Project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and KOICA, communities are gaining the knowledge, confidence, and access they need to protect the health of mothers and young children.

One of the biggest changes has been the introduction of community outreach and satellite health clinics, bringing essential maternal and child health services much closer to families living in remote villages. Combined with community awareness and training, these services are helping parents make informed decisions that save lives.

For Ettie Da'aga, a women's representative from Roso (Fo'odo) Village in North Malaita, the project has brought about a remarkable change in the way mothers view healthcare.

Ettie says the project has helped raise awareness throughout the community, empowering women and families with knowledge that can save lives. Through health education sessions, community meetings, and local advocacy, more mothers are taking proactive steps to protect their own health and the well-being of their children.

"The project has opened our eyes," she says. "Women are now speaking openly about maternal health, encouraging one another to seek care, and supporting pregnant mothers to access health services. We are seeing positive changes that will benefit our children and future generations."

"Before this project, many mothers delivered their babies in the village because the clinic was too far away and there were no nurses nearby. The training taught us why early antenatal check-ups are important and how to care for both mothers and babies. Now we understand things we never knew before, and more women are going to the clinic early”, Mrs. Da’aga stated.

The new knowledge is already changing behaviours. Mothers are attending antenatal visits sooner, learning about safe pregnancy practices, and seeking professional care before complications arise. These simple but important changes are helping create safer pregnancies and healthier beginnings for children.

The project is also empowering young people to become health champions within their own communities.

Melisha Iro, a youth representative from Kokorotoa Village, North Malaita, has participated in three maternal and child health training sessions. Rather than keeping the knowledge to herself, she has become an advocate for other young women.

"The training taught me how young girls can protect their health and prevent health problems in the future. I now share what I have learned with other young girls in my community so they can also make healthy choices."

Through health education and capacity building, the project is empowering young people to become agents of change. Their growing knowledge of maternal health, nutrition, family planning, and early healthcare is not only shaping their own futures but also influencing healthier practices among families and communities.

Mcleish Lazarus, a men’s representative from Madalua Village, says fathers and husbands are beginning to recognise that caring for mothers and children is a shared responsibility.

“This project has helped men understand that supporting our wives and children is our responsibility too. We now encourage mothers to attend clinics early and support them throughout pregnancy because healthy mothers mean healthy families.”

This positive shift in attitudes is strengthening family support systems and creating an environment where women feel supported to access healthcare without delay. Families are increasingly making health decisions together, helping to ensure safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.

Across the target communities, the project is strengthening partnerships between communities and local health services through Village Health Committees, health promotion activities, and regular outreach clinics. Families who once struggled to access basic maternal and child healthcare are now receiving vital information and essential services closer to home.

At the heart of this transformation are children. When mothers have access to quality antenatal care, safe delivery services, nutrition education, and essential child health support, children are more likely to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.

Through improved access to healthcare and practical health education, the Maternal and Child Health Project is giving families the confidence, knowledge, and support they need to raise healthier children and build brighter futures.

Every mother supported, every father engaged, and every child given a healthy start represents another step towards a stronger and healthier Solomon Islands.

Strong Mothers, Bright Futures: Community-Led Action for Maternal and Child Well-being is more than a theme—it is a reality unfolding in villages across North Malaita and Guadalcanal, where communities are leading change, strengthening families, and building a future where every mother is healthy, every child can thrive, and every family has hope for generations to come.