Leading Through Pressure: Building Bit by Bit in Solomon Islands

The past few weeks have not been easy.

Professionally, 

I finally called a meeting with the Technical Development Committee regarding the JCPU project. After thorough investigation reports and careful consideration, we made the difficult decision to terminate the contractor.

It was not a light decision. In a small society like ours, decisions are never just technical — they are relational, cultural, and sometimes political. But leadership requires courage. Sometimes protecting the integrity of a project means starting again.

This coming week, we move into settlement of subcontractors and preparing to put the work back out for tender. It feels heavy — but it also feels like a reset. A new beginning.

Yet beyond project management and official meetings, there is another reality we live with daily in Solomon Islands — the economy.

The Weight of Living Between Culture and Modern Life

Living in Solomon Islands today is not simple.

We are a society blended with:

Deep cultural expectations


Modern economic demands


Strong religious influence

Each of these shapes how we live.

Culturally, your home is rarely just yours. When I was married, our house was always full — relatives from my husband’s side and my side. That is our reality. Family is not optional. It is expected. It is part of who we are.

But modern life requires cash — school fees, store goods, fuel, building materials, electricity, transport. Prices keep increasing. Salaries remain small. Often, they do not even stretch to the next fortnight.

Religion teaches generosity and service. Culture expects support. Modern life demands money.

And in the middle of all this stands the individual — trying to survive.
Building Bit by Bit

Now that I am working again, I live with my older cousin brother while slowly building my house in Auki. It is not easy.

Salary does not cover everything. So I build bit by bit. One step at a time. One purchase at a time. One sacrifice at a time.

Sometimes it feels exhausting. Sometimes it feels like progress is too slow. But I remind myself — building slowly is still building.

And this is not just my issue. It is the issue of many families across Solomon Islands. We are surviving. We are adjusting. We are stretching every dollar. We are balancing culture, faith, and modern pressure.

Still Hopeful

Despite everything, I remain hopeful.

Hope is not denial of reality. Hope is choosing to believe that our struggles today do not define our future tomorrow.

I thank God every day — not because everything is easy, but because I am still standing. Because I am still leading. Because I am still building.

I hope for a better future for Solomon Islands:

An economy that supports families.


Systems that are stronger and more accountable.


A society where cultural expectations and economic realities can find balance.


Opportunities for young people.


Stability for working families.

We may be building slowly — as individuals and as a nation — but we are building.

Bit by bit.

And sometimes, that is enough.

If you like reading this also read learning patience in the midst of complexity.