The goals of Project Helpim Lilisiana are targeted to the community needs of the people in Lilisiana Village, Solomon Islands.  The projects will work towards to raising the general standard of living, empowering women, promoting gender equality, creating environmental awareness and fostering the younger generation through education.

The project will assist and support the community on three different levels:

-Community Education: Holding a Women’s Celebration Day with information sessions, discussions about women’s issues and small garden workshops (the first Celebration in 2009 as an annual event).

-On-going Community Services:  Support of Lilisiana Kindergarten with financial aid, resources and educational materials.

-Income Generation: Supporting community micro-projects with materials and skills training.

The project will involve collaboration between three groups:  Pacific Community Partnerships (PCP), a newly established group of friends and famiy of the people of Lilisiana who will travel to the Solomon Islands to work with the Fui Geli Asi Association - a Lilisiana Women’s Group; and the Lilisiana Village Committee (Village Cheifs and Elders).  Together we shall work towards the common goal of helping to improve the quality of life for Lilisiana community members.

Project Helpim Lilisiana was set up in direct response to the needs of the people in Lilisiana Village.  In 2005 a Lilisiana Village Cencus identified a population of approximately 500 – almost half of the population were under the age of 18.  Most people were under extreme poverty with many households spending more than they earn.  Poor health was apparent with common diseases like malaria, diahreah, diabetes, flu which were sometimes fatal.  Good access to drinking water was lacking and the village was overcrowded with an average of two families per house. There was a lack of village space which meant that gardens were at least 3km away from their home.  The main diet was rice, sweat potato and fish with a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables.  On a recent visit in early 2009 by Amie Batalibasi (member of PCP) it was apparent that four years later nothing much had changed except that the population has grown to approximately 1000 and that tide levels are continuing to rise. 

There was an immediate need to start the seeds of change.   Amie, a documentary filmmaker with family members in Lilisiana, conducted numerous discussions and interviews on film with many community members and groups.  It was identified that there were key issues that needed to be addressed:  food and water supply (health), education and income generation.   The need for small gardens close to home was identified, the need for the local Kindergarten to have basic materials was stressed and with high unemployment - the need for families to have income was apparent.  Amie assisted the women in the community to set up the women’s group called Fui Geli Asi (group of women by the sea).  Since then the group has been successful in gaining funding for three water tanks.  The group also discussed the possibility of a Women’s Information Day.  Arriving back in Australia, Amie has maintained contact with the community and formed a project working group to help address some of these issues.  Currently the wheels are in motion for the working group to go back to the Village and assist to implement the project.

Project Helpim Lilisiana specifically targets Women and Children - two groups that have been identified as particularly vulnerable in the Solomon Islands in this current climate.  In the village women hold a pivotal role in the family structure nurturing children and being responsible for all household duties such as water and firewood collection.  The first point of education in the village is Lilisiana Kindergarten, a one-room traditional building for approximately 100 children under 5.  Three underpaid teachers run classes in the mornings 5 days a week with no facilities and no resources - just strong minds and a willingness to share knowledge.  

Project Helpim Lilisiana is currently unfunded and relies on volunteer work and donations.  This is the first of a series of short term and long term community projects in Lilisiana.