Seeds and tools help Solomon Island families recover from flash floods

Three-year-old Rina’s tiny hands slowly weaved through the stems as she plucked the bright red healthy looking tomatoes and capsicum near her house at a village in Guadalcanal Plains.

Rina, 3, a quiet and timid village girl, in class 1, was harvesting food from the vegetable garden her family planted two months ago.

In April, flash floods in the capital, Honiara and nearby Gudalcanal Plains, destroyed their homes, crops and livelihoods. The garden is part of a World Vision project that supports families to help rebuild lives.

In helping Rina’s family and many others families in Ghaobata on Guadalcanal plains rebuild their lives, World Vision provided tools and seeds, helping to generate income.

“We have moved on from where we were and are now making progress in living a normal life that we used to before the floods,” said Nathaniel Amona, Rina’s father.

“These are the fruits of the seeds we received from World Vision,” he said standing in the middle of the garden of not more than ten square metres, surrounded by flourishing plants.

“I encourage my family to eat these healthy vegetables and fruits as they are organically planted. World Vision gave these to us, and gave us hope, when the floods destroyed our livelihood,” he said.

“It’s very encouraging to see people engaging in livelihood activities to return to normality.”

Once the community greenhouse is completed, and more planting materials available, Nathaniel hopes to plant more vegetables for his family.

Through a 6 month project, World Vision is providing greenhouse materials, tools and seeds to 20 of the most vulnerable communities on both sides of Ngalibiu River. Damage was massive and food security was a real concern in this area. The project will assist families regain their productive gardens and assist with recovery.

More than 800 livelihood kits have been distributed to households so far, including those not given greenhouse materials. The kit contains items such as spade, bush knife, hoe, nursery spade, files and 5 varieties of seeds.

World Visions Livelihood Project Co-ordinator, Francis Sulua said the project has now exceeded its initial target population of 794 households and has additional kits that will be distributed to selected communities in the area.

“It’s very encouraging to see people engaging in livelihood activities to return to normality,” he said.

Francis said the strategy for more sustainable and resilient livelihoods has been embraced with enthusiasm by community members.

World Vision conducted awareness programmes in affected communities. The Disaster Risk Reduction sessions incorporate climate change adaptation and ecosystem management and restoration.  These are essential learnings if communities are to be resilient and adapt to a changing climate.

Rina and her family are very proud of the vegetable garden they have grown. Rina’s family demonstrates to other community members that with knowledge and support, the creation of resilient communities is possible.  Partnerships with organizations such as the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, World Vision and communities are making this possible.