Solomon Islands April Update

Hagar visit to Solomon Islands

Hagar International’s CEO, Andrew Catford, and Hagar New Zealand’s Executive Director, Kate Russell, visited Hagar’s local Solomon Islands NGO partner, HOPE Trust, between April 17th and 23rd, 2023, to see activities of the SAFE Project funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) through Tearfund New Zealand. The HOPE Trust team called the visit “a major boost” for themselves as well as for the Koleasi community, whom they visited. Koleasi warmly welcomed Kate and Andrew and shared stories with them about the impact the project was having on the lives of survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking, and the effect of the community prevention activities that had recently commenced.

The HOPE Trust team found it invaluable for Andrew and Kate to see the work of the project and the challenges the team faces daily, firsthand. It became clear that implementing the project in the remote parts of the Solomon Islands can be very difficult, with challenges including accessing remote at-risk communities, poor road conditions, and communication difficulties in remote areas. However, despite these challenges, the HOPE Trust team is doing a wonderful job healing survivors and helping prevent sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Kate shared, “The visit and seeing the wonderful work of HOPE Trust and Hagar is one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.”

The timing of the visit was also opportune for HOPE Trust, as it coincided with the recruitment of several new positions for the team and a team restructure. Prema Maeato, the HOPE Trust Director, said, “Kate and Andrew’s presence and encouragement really boosted our team’s morale at this important time in our project. The opportunity to ask lots of questions in person and gain advice from them was much appreciated. Thank you, Hagar, for your wonderful support of HOPE Trust on the SAFE Program.””

HOPE Trust partner Ola Fou’s Agriculture Economic Project

The agricultural economic development component of the SAFE program, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) through Tearfund New Zealand and implemented in partnership with the local Solomon Islands partner NGO, HOPE Trust, has entered its second phase. This phase entails the distribution of tools and seeds to vulnerable households, particularly those affected by or susceptible to sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This work has been completed in all eight target communities of the SAFE project. The aim is to help reduce the economic vulnerability of these households, a key aspect of supporting survivors and preventing sexual exploitation and human trafficking. HOPE Trust’s Community Project Officer (CPO) has begun working alongside another local partner, the Solomon Islands NGO Ola Fou’s agriculture team. This collaboration includes ensuring that important safeguarding measures are observed in their project planning and implementation processes.