The funding and welfare needs of the vulnerable in society
My many letters posted on Linkedin or published in the media in the Solomon Islands over the years focused very largely on the work and needs of those organizations or charities that bring education, training and special needs to the vulnerable in society, especially children and those handicapped by some kind of intellectual or physical disability such as learning difficulties and mobility requirements.
Seldom, if ever, do those letters prompt a response or an action that I witness as bringing relief to a situation reported.
The exception being help given by the President of the SFA and his Executive Board in my efforts to bring medical equipment and medical supplies for the NRH and some provincial hospitals, including last September a modular building to replace the demolished Rehabilitation Workshop, as well as 300 metal crutches to give mobility to amputee patients awaiting artificial below the knee prosthetics.
Another exception was the construction of a retaining wall at the Red Cross Special Disability Centre in Honiara to prevent rainwater flooding the premises during the wet season. This wall was built and paid for by the ANZ Bank in the city.
When I think of the training, welfare and care exercised by volunteers at the San Isidro school, the school near Henderson Airport for children with special needs, the Red Cross Special Disability Centre, the Christian Care Centre, the Hearts of Hope Charity and even the Family Support Centre, how do they manage to carry on with their charitable good work? From where does funding come from and do they receive any statutory funds from the government?
I have the impression, with perhaps the exception of the Family Support Centre most rely on community support and perhaps by local fund raising through the community or from the church in the case of the Christian Care Centre or San Isidro, but it can hardly be much and less than the needs of upkeep.
Publically funded care for special needs via the government is not available in the Solomon Islands.
I am reluctant to mention promises made by some as ‘lip service’ to aid those with disabilities and I hope those that have previously promised to help will good causes will honour their pledges.
There is so much to be done to help “good causes” at home and I would hope much more individual and corporate support will be forthcoming in the months to come.
I would wish too the government could clarify which arm of government has under its umbrella the special needs of those must vulnerable in society.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
