Lilisiana Village
Lilisiana is a large traditional style village that sits by the ocean on Malaita island in the Solomon Islands. The village population is well over 1000.
Traditionally the people relied on fishing and gardening to survive. However the village has become overcrowded meaning that there is little room for gardens; and depleted environmental resources have meant that for many years, the people have not been able to be fully self sufficient and thus have become reliant on a cash economy.
Employment is scarce. People live on a day to day basis just trying to survive and feed their families. The most common meal is rice alone. Children are undernourished and a poor diet creates health problems like diabetes. Although the village is a stone's throw from Auki (a major port) there is no power, no running water, no toilets, no rubbish disposal options and inadequate access to health care. Also, the level of education is low. The people of Lilisiana live a life void of basic human rights. An added pressure is climate change. Rising sea levels create high tides where the water enters the village grounds. All of this, and yet these Solomon Islanders keep smiling.
Background
Project Helpim Lilisiana was set up in direct response to the needs of the people in Lilisiana Village.
In 2005 a Lilisiana Village Cencus identified a population of approximately 500 – almost half of the population were under the age of 18. Most people were under extreme poverty with many households spending more than they earn. Poor health was apparent with common diseases like malaria, diarrhea, diabetes, flu which were sometimes fatal. Good access to drinking water was lacking and the village was overcrowded with an average of two families per house. There was a lack of village space which meant that gardens were at least 3km away from their home. The main diet was rice, sweat potato and fish with a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables. On a visit in early 2009 by Amie Batalibasi (member of PCP) it was apparent that four years later nothing had changed except that the population had grown to approximately 1000 and tide levels are continuing to rise.
There was an immediate need to start planting the seeds of change.
Project Helpim Lilisiana
"Project Helpim Lilisiana" kicked off in August 2009 when PCP members Amie Batalibasi, Amanda Cuyler, Pip Kelly and Lincoln Smith, headed over to the Solomons to work in collaboration with Fui Geli Asi Womens Association and the Lilisiana Village Committee.
Project Helpim Lilisiana had three main objectives:
1. Community Education:
To hold Womens Celebration Days in August with workshops, information sessions and discussions on health, nutrition, diet, small gardens, domestic violence, law and money management.
2. Community Services:
To support Lilisisana Kindergarten with resources and educational materials.
3. Income Generation:
To provide support, materials and knowledge to help people in Lilisiana develop micro-enterprises.
The Womens Celebration Days were a huge success. There were three days of information sessions, discussions and workshops. The first day, led by Amie covered domestic violence, family planning and home management. Three representatives from Auki police came to talk to the group as well as a worker from Planned Parenthood in Auki.
Day Two was Health day with Pip. Participants learnt about Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of common illnesses and diseases and Fui Geli Asi members presented their own posters on specific health issues like ear aches, headaches and panadol. Participants were shocked to learn about the effects of smoking and many members of the group decided that they would like to quit!
On Day 3 Amanda led workshops about diet, nutrition and small gardens such as 'sack gardens'. There was also seed distribution so that the women could start planting their seeds immediately. The next day sack gardens were being constructed!
There was about 30 participants each day, lots of laughs, games and fun. At the end of the days the women were presented with Information Kits in a reusable bag, containing all sorts of goodies and information about the topics covered. The women would like to continue to have similar Celebration Days in the future.
Also, Amie, Pip and Amanda presented a box full of educational materials donated by PCP supporters to the Lilisiana Kindy Committee. They were extremely happy for this support. One day they attended the Kindy to see the kids read the books and use the materials. They also led a great version of "Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes"!!! PCP looks forward to continuing their support of the Kindy in the future.
In addition, there were discussions about the possibilities of setting up a Cooperative through the womens group. It was decided that the Fui Geli Asi Womens Association will work towards applying for funding with help from PCP, for a Skills and Training Project where women can learn skills in many different areas to increase their chances of finding work and generating income through small businesses.
Support from generous donations by PCP supporters made this all possible - so if Also, PCP fundraising went towards completing the Lilisiana Water Tank Project guided by Lincoln. We were able to purchase timber for tank stands, pipes and materials. Without this support the tanks would not have been installed. While we were there, water was scarce. The one nearby tank was empty most of the time. The extra three tanks are now up and running!
Other small projects that happened.... Amanda got busy with the piccininis to make a solar cooker out of tin cans and cardboard. She also completed a a raised garden bed. Pip became "Doctor Pipstar" applying band aids and creams to people all over the village and also took groups of people up to Kilufi Hospital for treatment. Lincoln informed some of the men about the potential to go to NZ for apple picking (something that many of them are keen to do).
Fui Geli Asi Womens Association held a fundraising day of games which was extremely successful. Coin throwing, raffles, card games, food and Pip's Pig Pen Lotto... We had a Womens Day Celebration Evening with food speeches, presentations and dance performances. The PCP Gals got up with three of Amie's cousins and performed an 'out-of-this-world' robotic dance routine to the Jackson 5's "Dancin Machine". It was HIL-AR-I-OUS!
All in all, much fun was had, lots of work was done and we achieved what we set out to do. The seeds are planted and we look forward to the next adventure. Stay tuned for our next project!
