Sr Veronica Boki teaches at Visale Community High School.  The work of the teachers and students has been affected by the severe weather. There was no road communication between Visale and Honiara for three weeks in March.

The Solomon Islands delegation to the Copenhagen Climate Change talks was led by the Minister for the Environment, Hon. Gordon Darcy-Lilo. The delegation included Christina Ora, a Shortlands student from Bishop Epalle School, Honiara. The small island nations were frustrated by the lack of urgency shown by the big nations of the world. The large nations were surprised at the intensity of feeling of the island delegates – from the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The Coral Triangle Nations met in Gizo in November, 2009 to work out ways of protecting their marine resources. Four war canoes from Munda provided a welcome, singing in harmony as they paddled.

The Coral Triangle Nations met in Gizo in November, 2009 to work out ways of protecting their marine resources. Four war canoes from Munda provided a welcome, singing in harmony as they paddled. They were  a symbol of a different kind of ‘war’ – a struggle to keep our environment pristine.

Many coastal parts of the Solomons are being affected by loss of beach front land, king tides and rising sea levels.

The artificial islands of Lau Lagoon, Malaita; Lilisiana village ( Auki) ; Sikiana Islands; Temotu islands are particularly affected. Canaan village, Kohingo has suffered major damage by sea water since the tsunami.

Solomon Islands has signed a Pacific-Caribbean agreement on Clean Energy. Recently, after five years’ work, a local firm Solomon Tropical Products has started producing coconut bio-diesel commercially.

Education is a priority for government and non-government groups. 

More possibilities are opening up. Small private centres are offering short courses in computing, MYOB, Life Skills, adult literacy in pidgin and in English. 

The University of PNG started an Open Campus for community studies and business units.  It has study centres in the provinces, including one at Aligegeo, Malaita. SICHE is now offering Tourism, Hospitality and Media courses. There are still many more applicants than spaces. 

Subjects are also available at the Seminary at Tenaru. 

The Rural Teacher Training College on Vanga has re-opened this year.

Newly constituted Catholic Education Authorities are gradually taking back responsibility for some schools from the government. All schools in rural areas are still short of basic teaching materials.

Following workshops, more primary teachers are using phonics methods to teach reading. 

Our Novices are learning this way also as well as being taught English by an Australian  volunteer. 

We have one Sister studying Agriculture, School of Natural Resources at SICHE, and two in the School of Education (Diploma in Secondary teaching and Diploma in Early Childhood). One graduated in primary teaching at the end of 2009. Two sisters are doing business studies part time in the evening.

Health is the other great priority for government and families. However, basic medical supplies are still not available in many rural areas.

Health is the other great priority for government and families. However, basic medical supplies are still not available in many rural areas. The good news is that AusAid funding is to set up purpose built eye clinics in each province and establish a facility for making glasses in Honiara. The shadow of AIDS is there, but the high  incidence found in Fiji and PNG, and in Bougainville has not yet shown up in the Solomons. Testing for AIDS ‘in country’ is only possible in Honiara.

There are three dioceses in the Solomon Islands. Each has plans for renewal and development.

The Gizo Diocese has had a programme for a Participating/Communitarian Church (Better World Movement) begun under Bishop O’Grady and continuing with Bishop Capelli.

The rebuilding of the Gizo cathedral, damaged by the earthquake in 2007, is due to be finished this year. The Sisters have not been able to rebuild yet, because of problems getting title to land.

The Diocese of Auki had three ordinations in December. Fr Peter Lalaiagalo op was the first Dominican from Malaita. He was ordained at Buma. His home village is Lilisiana.

Srs Matrina Qilaziutu and Marie Toravavini will join the Dominican Pilgrimage to Spain, France, Italy and Ireland being led by Sr Elizabeth Hellwig and Fr Kevin Toomey in May, 2010. Two sisters are doing Formator’s Courses, Sr Anastasia Arae  in PNG and Sr Teresa Tebaia  in Sydney.

2009 was a difficult year for our Solomon Sisters . Sr Veronica Benetito died suddenly at Wagina, possibly of complications due to diabetes and malaria. Three sisters came to Australia for medical help.  The three are now back at work in the Solomons.  We are grateful for the prayers and practical help of many people.

In  September 2009, the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and Solomon Islands held a chapter and elected a new Prioress, Sr Judith Lawson. The leadership team members are sharing responsibility for the Solomon Islands Vicariate: Sr Judith, leadership and governance; Sr Jill Shirvington, spirituality and formation; Sr Anne Ryan, finance; Sr Mary-Clare Holland, health and wellbeing; Sr Julianna Drobik, links between Dominican Schools in Australia and schools where our sisters are involved in the Solomon Islands.

We are grateful for the prayers and practical help of many people.  We look forward to a stronger partnerships between Dominicans and friends in Australia and in the Solomons. 

Sr Rose Mary Kinne,  April 2010.