Malaita Project – Proyecto Islas Salomón
What is the MALAITA PROJECT?
Malaita Project – Proyecto Islas Salomón is a non-profit charity and development aid project started by Jouk Inthesky on 2010 at Malaita Island (Solomon Islands, South Pacific – Oceania).
The Project is based only on direct help and donations by companies and individuals and is open to anyone that would like to collaborate.
The Project is not linked to any company, public or private institution, or religious congregation and all the funds are entirely allocated to accomplish each edition’s goals.
Goals:
Next edition: November 2019.
2017 ACHIEVEMENTS, NEXT EDITION: 2019
Malaita Project – Proyecto Islas Salomón‘s 2017 edition took place during November and December.
GOALS ACCOMPLISHED – 2017:
– Two 5000 liters water tanks for collecting rain water: One was installed at the clinic of One One’s village and the other at the village of Ca’anan. You can see in the video why we decided to help One One’s clinic.
– 6 toilettes for the school and kindergarden from To’ae’s village, located at the south of Malaita Island.
– 2 screenprinting and dyeing workshops to groups of women in Fo’ondo (north) and To’ae (south).
– Uniforms and sport equipment for schools and soccer clubs.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT AND WHAT HAVE WE ALREADY ACHIEVED?
Access to drinking water is not easy to many villages from Malaita, particularly during dry seasons. Some villagers have to walk around 6 Km and transport water by foot everyday in order to get drinking water.
Setting up a water tank that collects and stores rain water means a a great improving of living conditions for the families that can benefit from the tank.
Water tanks set up and running:
2015/2016: Two 5000 liters water tanks at Fo’ondo (north of the island) and Guaitaba (center-west of the island) villages.
2013/2014: One 3000 liters water tank at Sindu village (north of the island).
2011: One 3000 liters water tank at Fote village (center of the island).
Given the lack of infrastructures and restricted use of water during dry season, the setting of new toilettes helps improving healthiness and the practice of good hygiene of the villagers, specially when installed in common areas like schools.
Already in use:
2015/2016: Three toilettes at school and clinic area of the remote village of One One.
2013/2014: Two toilettes at the community area of Fo’ondo, and one at Fote Primary School. .
The workshops are an initiative of Wally Faleka (teacher and local artist) and are addressed to groups of women from different communities from the island. Each workshop takes place during 2-4 days at the village of the group that requested it.
The participants learn screen-printing and dyeing techniques that will be able them to create and sell their own designs at the market in Auki, the capital city of the island. In this way, they can get some income that will help to cover some of the basic needs from their own families and they are encouraged to start their own initiatives.
Each group attending to the workshop receives a donation of paints and enough materials to start creating their first designs once the workshop is over.
Past Workshops:
2015/2016: Three workshops in three different villages and supporting with new material to some groups from past editions.
2013/2014: Tour around the island giving a 3day workshop in 6 different villages.
2011: 3 days workshop at Fote village, and setting up of a traditional hut with a solar panel that works as an art center and screen-printing workshop directed by the local artist Wally Faleka.
Practicing sports, mainly football and volleyball, is one of the favorite activities from kids and youth even if they have to play with their bare feet. Sometimes, the lack of suitable equipment results in injuries and wounds that get infected very fast if not treated properly.
However, sports are an important activity for personal development and help to prevent unhealthy behaviors like tobacco, alcohol or other drugs among teenagers from the island.
Handed over:
2015/2016: Set of uniforms and soccer balls to three teams from different communities from the island.
2013/2014: Installation of soccer nets for the goal post from 2011, set of uniforms for the Fo’ondo Soccer Club (north of the island), and organization of a Christmas Soccer Tournament with more than 30 teams from all around the island attending.
2011: Installation of standard-sized soccer goal posts, donation of new soccer uniforms to the school and the soccer club of Fote, and organization of a Christmas Soccer Tournament with more than 20 teams from all around the island attending.
2010: sport equipment for the Fote Primary School (set of uniforms, soccer shoes, balls…).
Friends that helped us, among others:
