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Showing posts from November 16, 2025

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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A Night of Pure Island Joy

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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It was such a moment for me to see my baby sister glowing, bright like the early morning sunrise. My heart slowed with tears of joy as I turned on my phone and watched the photos and videos she sent from their island night at Onepusu Theological College. As her older sister, I have walked through moments of hardship in my earlier years, doing my best to support her financially so she could reach her true destiny. And now, I believe she has — and will be — graduating next week with a Diploma in Theology from Onepusu Theological College, a South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) institution located in West Areare, in the western part of Malaita Province, Solomon Islands. Baby sister in Yellow dress She told me, “Ivory, last night was the most enjoyable night ever.” The Year 3 students ( That's Us) hosted the event as our final gathering with the staff, families, and students before graduating and leaving the school. It is a tradition here — a night to sit together, laugh, celebrate, and ...
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Knowing Your People: A Lesson My Heart Finally Understood

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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Your Roots in Malaita Growing up in Malaita, Solomon Islands, our parents constantly reminded us of one powerful truth: you must always know your people and your tribes. They taught us that we do not belong to just one line, but to four tribes — the tribe of our father, our mother, and the tribes of both our maternal and paternal grandparents. Two events were considered sacred and non-negotiable in our culture: marriage and death. When these moments happened, attendance wasn’t a choice; it was a duty rooted in love, respect, and identity. When Modern Life Began to Change Us Over time, modern life and Western influences slowly started to reshape these values. People became busier. Work, migration, and growing responsibilities made it harder for families to gather. Some began to see these traditions as less relevant in a fast-changing world. Sadly, it became rare to see full tribal representation gathered under one roof, united in spirit. A Day That Touched My Soul This particular day be...
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Morning Grace: A Sunrise, Music, and Island Life

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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A Quiet Start It had been a while since I said my morning prayers. At 5 a.m., I woke up, sat beside my bed, and whispered words of gratitude to God. Afterwards, I stepped outside, turned on my phone, and listened to my favorite Zimra . I know it may seem unusual for someone from the islands, but over time, gospel music in Hebrew has found a special place in my heart. Especially during the lowest moments, its calm and peaceful melodies resonate deeply within me. Sunrise and a Rainbow Listening to this music in the early morning fills me with strength to face the day. Lost in the melodies, I glanced at the horizon and was greeted by a breathtaking sight—a rainbow arching over Savo Island , complemented by the golden glow of the sunrise. It felt like stepping into the vision of an artist, a moment where nature and spirit collide in beauty. Early Morning Sunrise  Rainbow over savo Island Neighbors I walked over to our neighbors, who had also been awake through the night. With Christma...
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A Simple Lunch, A Beautiful Connection

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
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Morning Fruits and Small Blessings My day started quietly with fruits for breakfast — and again for lunch. Lately, I’ve developed a habit of eating fruits throughout the day. Even though fruits in Honiara can be quite expensive, I consider myself lucky and blessed. I live with my older brother, who is also fond of eating healthy. He always makes sure our home has a colourful variety of fruits available. His support makes this habit easier to maintain, and it’s something I truly appreciate. Morning Breakfast with Fruits An Unexpected Lunch Invitation At work, I wasn’t expecting anything special for lunch. But one of my colleagues convinced another to sponsor a meal, which felt a little embarrassing at first — though sharing like this is very normal in Solomon Islands culture. When I was called into the conference room, I found fish and chips with freshly prepared melon neatly laid out on the table. Slowly, more colleagues joined us, each walking in with a smile or a joke, until the r...
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