The Rapid Employment Project is providing short-term employment opportunities for community development.
Over the next five years, the project will offer training and work to unemployed youth and women in Honiara.
HONIARA, 3 December 2010—Early activities of the Solomon Islands Rapid Employment Project (REP) have been rolled out over the past few weeks, and community groups across the capital, Honiara, are beginning to experience the benefits of the project.
The project, which is being implemented by the Honiara City Council and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, aims to provide short term employment and training to Honiara’s urban unemployed (with a focus on youth and women) throughout its five year life span from 2010 to 2015.
With support from the World Bank, Australia, and New Zealand through the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), the REP has begun labor-based works in various places around the capital.
One work group at Mbokonavera in Central Honiara has been working towards improving road drainage systems. The 10 person group has also been repairing the road that runs through their community.
James, a worker with the project, explained that his only other source of income is occasionally selling betel nut by the side of the road.
“I’m very happy to have this opportunity,” James said. “I want to help to make the town look clean but also, it is a good opportunity for me to make money.”
Another group, working at the nearby Kaibia settlement, had just begun their first day of work in a similar drainage improvement operation. Again, all participants in the group live in the area they are helping to improve. The group, made up of mainly young men, was led by a man named Peter, who was concerned about the lack of opportunities for youths in the area.
“Many of these boys need to find money-making opportunities because they are unemployed and have dropped out of school,” Peter said.
Brian wants to use his payments from the REP towards finishing university.
Brian was one youth from the area who is working on the project. He thinks it is important to keep the surroundings clean, and that keeping the drainage system clear of dirt and rubbish will help reduce the high incidence of malaria in the area. Brian is a student at the local centre of the University of the South Pacific (USP), and was happy with the opportunities presented.
“I finished high school and went to the USP centre in Honiara, but I did not have the money to pay for my studies,” he said. “The money I earn from this work would help pay for some of my courses at the university. There aren’t many job opportunities for young uneducated people. When young people have more time in their hands and less to do, they turn to drugs, alcoholism, and crime.”
At Burns Creek community, east of the capital, a group of 30 people were helping to clear the stream that flows past their settlement. Burns Creek is one of the many squatter settlements in the outskirts of Honiara. The community, which sprung up after the social unrest of the late 90s to 2003, had created a large amount of waste and garbage, which collected in the stream, blocking its flow. This has led to severe flooding in the area during times of heavy rain, which has destroyed vegetable gardens, flooded homes, and damaged properties.
Sylvester Kafe, the groups’ leader, enquired about the project at the Honiara City Council. Sylvester was then able to put together a group of 30 people who were interested in participating, mostly youths and women.
“We want to clean the stream which people use to wash and bathe because piped water is very unreliable," she said. “We also want to clean the banks of the stream to discourage people from using it as a toilet.”
Sylvester said the money they earn from working with the REP will go a long way to meeting school fees and basic household necessities.
“Most of us make our living by selling betel nut on the streets. We also grow vegetables which we sell at the local markets. We are really happy for the opportunity to have paid employment because it complements the money we make from those other activities,” she said.
Throughout Honiara, a total of 17 community groups have started working in the Rapid Employment Project. Over 400 people have already benefited from the project, while more people are going to the project office to register their community groups.
The REP is expected to directly benefit roughly 7,500 people over its five year period through work and training. Les Hewer, the Project Manager, said the Honiara City Council was pleased with the progress of the REP program.
“To date, several areas have been cleared of rubbish that has been lying around for years. Though only a part of the project, the cleaning up of Honiara is an important component. Infrastructure improvement which has also been going on is another essential and hugely beneficial part of the program,” Mr. Hewer said. “Beyond that, it is great to see the employment opportunities that the REP provides and to see community groups working towards improving their local area and getting compensated for it.”
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