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Reflection on My First Day Back at Work – Lessons in Project Risk and Management

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Today marked my return to work after the festive season and the beginning of 2026. I did not expect the day to bring such an eye-opening experience — one that made me smile, reflect, and learn. I was confronted by five frustrated workers from the appointed contractor for the JCPU Administration Building project. One of the workers had just been released from temporary detention at the police station after the contractor reported them. You can imagine the emotional state of someone who had just come out of detention — stressed, confused, and upset. I took time to talk with them and quickly noticed several failures in the current project management that contributed to this situation. I believe these setbacks are rooted in the early stages of the project, particularly in the following areas: 1. Procurement system of the project 2. Planning phase, including costing and scheduling 3. Lack of written agreements between the main contractor and subcontractors 4. Incompetence and poor leadershi...
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Dying hours before the New Year.

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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Every time we go home, it is our time to be with our parents. I have three sisters, with one adopted, making us five daughters. It has always been our tradition that our father leads us in prayer before midnight. This New Year was the same. We gathered and talked as a family. My firstborn sister could not join us as she is very ill with cancer, and as a family we are going through one of the toughest seasons of our lives. We grew up with simple farmer parents. Today, we are fortunate to live right in the heart of Auki Town in Malaita, on a piece of land acquired through their hard work. Yet the setting still feels like village life—something very special. I am deeply grateful to my parents for keeping us grounded. It gives us the feeling that we are still in the village where we grew up—carefree, close to gardens and rivers. Though we miss many things about village life, my parents have managed to carry that way of living with us to where we are now. As usual, we gathered to discuss ou...
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Christmas Journey Home to Auki

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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It’s Christmas time, and like many Solomon Islanders , people travel back to their home islands for the holidays. With our scattered islands, ships remain the main means of transportation. This year, I boarded Pelican , one of the Chinese-owned shipping vessels . As always during this season, the wharf was crowded and busy. Traveling by ship during Christmas means long hours and patience. I went to the wharf around 11:00 pm, boarded the ship at 3:00 am, departed Honiara at 5:00 am, and finally arrived in Auki , Malaita Province , at 8:00 am. Arriving home felt wonderful. Auki welcomed me with that familiar feeling — the sense of belonging that only home can give. The next day, I went to Fiu River to collect gravel for a small personal project at home. Building a house in the Solomon Islands is not always easy. Although we are surrounded by natural resources, cash limitations often make construction slow and challenging. To continue my work, I hired a vehicle and collected two loads ...
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Five Hours Before Midnight

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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With five hours to go before Christmas midnight, I find myself reflecting on how quickly time flies and on the journey I have walked. As I watch families preparing, anticipating this season with joy and happiness, I’m reminded of how beautiful it is simply to observe life—and to acknowledge the Creator for life itself and everything in between. When I look back on my own life, the past two years have held so much: real pain, betrayal, depression, moments of confusion, but also blessings. There were arguments, unforgiveness, anger, deep sadness, mistakes, even thoughts of revenge—yet also laughter, joy, and happiness. The list goes on. At times I asked, “What is the meaning of all this, my God?” And then my heart was brought back to the very core of Christmas: the birth of Christ—to save me, to save us. That’s when I remembered a verse I came across years ago: “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and d...
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Simple Christmas Neighbourhood Joys & a Festive Hairstyle

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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  Our usual weekend neighbourhood gathering always happens at this corner—a place filled with familiar faces, laughter, and shared stories. But as Christmas approaches, I felt inspired to add a little festive touch to my personal style. This season, I decided to try a new look and purchased a couple of hair extensions to create a fresh braided hairstyle. I invited a talented young woman from our neighbourhood to do the braids, and I must say, her skill and creativity truly stood out. Instead of going to a salon, we brought the styling to the heart of the neighbourhood. Surrounded by local music, warm conversations, and friendly jokes, the braiding became more than just a beauty moment—it turned into a shared experience. For me, fashion isn’t only about trends or expensive spaces. It’s about self-expression, culture, and the joy of community. This festive hairstyle reflects not just a new look, but the beauty of togetherness and supporting local talent. I’m grateful for moments like...
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Why This Skirt Makes Me Feel Confident and Comfortable

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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There are some clothes you wear because they are trendy, and then there are clothes you wear because they make you feel good. This skirt is one of those pieces for me. What I love most about this skirt is how it fits my body. It sits comfortably on my waist and falls straight down, giving me a neat and confident look without feeling tight or uncomfortable. I can sit, stand, walk, and move freely, and that matters a lot in my day-to-day life. The design is simple but unique. The front panel with the lace-up detail adds character and makes the skirt stand out without being loud. It’s not trying too hard — it just quietly says this is me. I love that balance. Another reason I love this skirt is how versatile it is. I can wear it to work, to meetings, or just for a casual day out. Paired with a cardigan and sneakers, it feels relaxed and practical. Dressed up with nicer shoes, it easily becomes smart-casual . Most importantly, this skirt makes me feel confident in my own skin. It reminds...
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My Current Work Fashion

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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 This is my current work fashion—something I’ve been wearing since I started my new role as a Project Manager with the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM). At first, it was quite intriguing. I found myself wondering what my work outfit would look like in a church-based organisation like ACOM. Coming from a construction background, my idea of workwear was very different. In church premises here in the Solomon Islands, women generally do not wear tight long pants or boots. This felt a bit contradictory to the health and safety dressing standards I was used to in the construction industry. This placed me in a tricky position—trying to balance professional construction field attire with religious values and cultural expectations of modesty and decency. It wasn’t easy at first. Over time, I’ve managed to find a blend that works—one that I’m comfortable with and genuinely pleased about. While it can still be a little challenging when I’m out on construction sites, my style now respects c...
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