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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Christmas Journey Home to Auki

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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 of gravel from Fiu River. This was to complete the slab for the ground floor of our home in Auki.

Financially, it hasn’t been easy. Progress comes bit by bit. This stage marks the final portion of work on the slab, and once completed, I will focus next on laying the bricks for the walls.

This journey reminds me that building a home is not just about materials — it is about perseverance, patience, and faith.

If you like reading this also read Five Hours before midnight https://solvoice.blogspot.com/2025/12/five-hours-before-midnight.html?m=1

💬Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.👇

Christmas journey back home
Journey home Auki Malaita 



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