Fly & Build Solomon Islands October 2008
Our trip to the Solomon Islands will take us to the Island of Malaita.
It is approx 100 km north of Guadalcanal, the main Island of the Solomon’s.
I am hoping that we can fly out on the morning of 12th October from Melbourne and arrive in Kwalbessi Monday afternoon & fly back about 12- 14 days later
Airfares
Leave 9 am Melbourne – arrive 11am Brisbane
Leave Brisbane 3.30pm – arrive 7.40 pm Honiara
Leave Honiara 8am Tuesday arrive Auki 8.30 am
Travel by Taxi 9.am arrive Kwalibesi approx 2 pm what a ride!
The approximate price for all fares $1250 return including taxes.+ food costs approx $150. We can buy all our travel requirements from SPD travel a division of our Church. We will get travel insurance through the volunteer’s services association free of charge.
Everybody will need a current passport which is valid for at least 6 months.
You will need a tetnis injection if you have not had one in the last 10 years.
You will need a Hepatitis A injection costing approx $100 plus consultation.
Malaria injections or tablets are recommended. Tablets cost approx $45
For full medical details talk to your doctor.
Our Exchange rate is $ 1 AUS = approx $ 6 Solomon
I would suggest that you exchange money in Australia before you go.
Min $50 Aus. You may want to buy something from the locals, e.g. souvenir, fresh fruit.
The Solomon’s are now peaceful; Ramsay is there, the Australian army and police are present. In the time I was there it seemed like a peaceful pacific island. I spoke to several army and police personal, very little has happened in the last 3-4 years.
Things to bring - recommended air mattress, sleeping bag or 2 sheets,
Pillow, sandals, boots/runners, mosquito net, shorts & T shirts. Good clothes for Sabbath as everybody gets dressed up, bible, hymn book, torch, hat, camera with rechargeable batteries, sunscreen, rid, towel, personal items, fishing rod, toothbrush etc
The children have very little so if you could bring balloons, soccer balls, footballs,
Cricket bats, lollies, you will make friends for life!
I would encourage for all males & females to put extra clothing in your bag and be prepared
To leave most of your clothes with the locals
I have done some research for cartage & transport of our requirements.
To send a 20 ft container from Australia $6000 + customs clearance & fumigation.
To send a 40 ft container from Australia $7000 + customs clearance & fumigation.
To send a pellet 1m2 $600 . I think it might be more worthwhile sending 3 - 4 pellets
1 st pellet bibles, hymn books, stationary, lesson pamphlets, pencils
2 nd pellet food
3 rd new clothes, torches, camping equipment, electrical tools
My brother works for a large clothing company is able to secure shorts, pants, shirts
Dresses for $1 each. I am finding out what sort of clothes they are!
What we don’t send from Australia we can buy in Honiara it might be a little dearer but our transportation expenses will be lower.
We need second hand or new bibles & hymn books. If you could start finding
and buying it would be great. If there is anything else you want to ask. Talk !
We will be sending Tinned food, packets & boxes of food from Australia especially food from Sanitarium, if there is anything you especially want sent, let us know.
We will probably buy dry food in Honiara e.g. rice & pasta.
When I was there I arranged with the locals that we will buy their local produce
When we arrive e.g. pineapple, bananas, paw paw, coconuts, watermelon, pomelons, taro, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage.
We will be buying all our building supplies from Honiara I have spoken to
several hardware stores and they seem to have everything we need.
There are several several things at Kwalibesi that need fixing !
Replacing roofs, new windows, doors & paint on 2 teacher’s houses & 2 classrooms.
Rebuilding a tank stand next to the medical clinic.
New roof on kitchen for relatives making meals for hospital patients.
Paint exterior of medical clinic 1 coat and one interior room 2 coats.
Build lockable shed under house for outboard motor and other things.
Put cover on generator.
The locals are fantastic at helping as they realize all of this work is for them.
Once you show them how to do something they will want to do it themselves.
If you have any friends or trades people that you feel could contribute towards
This exercise please let us know.
I have tried to cover most things but I am sure there are still many questions.
Thanks Rodney Horne 0411 534 156,
9484 9666 or 9752 7194
Email rshorne@optusnet.com.au
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