Climate Change could be worse than Tsunami
Climate change could be worse than the 2007 tsunami said concerned mothers from Nusabaruku.
There are high tides coming at the end of every year, which we taught is normal and safe at low land, but now high tides are unusual for us, said the mothers.
Italian volunteers help to build mission station
The diocese of Gizo is still busy with the rebuilding of facilities that were damaged or destroyed by the tsunami that occurred on 2 April 2007. There are also other projects in seven parishes.
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Above photo during Easter
Easter celebrations
At Gizo Easter was a great relief and an awesome occasion , as we did not celebrate it in 2007, because of the earthquake and tsunami tragedy. Our Easter celebration with our new Bishop was full of grace and prayerful. It was an experience of calm and excitement among our people in the parish. The encouragement message of our Bishop gives hope to all, as we look forward to the implementation of our Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
By Joseph Lalaubatu
We Remember the loved ones
More than 150 people from Nusabaruku celebrated the 1st anniversary earthquake & tsunami Mass at Nusabaruku. The Anniversary celebration included Dominican friars and sisters, diocesan staffs and visitors around Gizo. The 10am mass was celebrated by Bishop Luciano Capelli sdb and Fr John Mc Kenna OP. The earthquake & tsunami mass celebration was turned out ecumenically. A praise song was sung at the beginning of the mass which encouraged everyone to have faith and hope and have trust in the Lord. “We shall overcome…….the Lord shall see us through…….work hand in hand…..we are not afraid……..the truth shall make us free….and we shall live in peace someday,” the song reminds everyone that we are not left out and our God is ahead of us. United church communities and catholic communities from Nusabaruku with visitors witnessing the 1st anniversary celebration.
Western and Choiseul provinces were badly affected by the 2nd April earth quake and tsunami, after which at least 52 were confirmed dead.
On April 2nd at 7.40 am a strong earthquake (8.1) occurred 45 kilometres from Gizo, followed within a few minutes by a tsunami which was experienced as a series of waves reaching at least three metres in height in Gizo, with larger waves experienced on other islands. In places such as Sasamunga in Choiseul, the water reached 500 metres inland. Over sixty smaller earthquakes continued over the next two days. The town of Gizo had some protection from the reef and faces away from the epicentre. Despite this, the damage was still huge from the water as well as the earthquake. Villages such as Titiana (pronounced "Sisiana") and New Manra (plus others) were exposed to the full onslaught of the waves and were largely or totally washed away.
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June 25th, 2007
Dearest Friends:
Here is an update from Gizo, in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, after the tragic earthquake and Tsunami of April 2. Three months later, we are still finding our way out of the rubble, and helping people to stand on their feet again.
by Penelope Kerr, (c) 2007
The Solomon Islands is a group of approximately 1.000 islands situated to the North North East of Australia, stretching from the Santa Cruz Islands in the South East, close to Vanuatu, to the Shortland Islands approximately 5 nautical miles from Bougainville. The population is approximately half a million, 40% of whom are under 14 and 56% from 15 to 64 years. The median age is 19 years. 1
The Solomon Islands: From the CIA World Fact Book
The country is poor with a gross domestic product per capita of US$600 (estimated 2005). Most Solomon Islanders depend on agriculture, fishing and forestry for their livelihood. The World Fact Book does not give an unemployment rate. With so many people engaged in subsistence farming and fishing, it is difficult to estimate. It is however safe to say that few people outside the major towns have much money. The ethnic tensions on Guadalcanal since 2000 have meant the scaling back of businesses associated with tourism which previously employed a substantial number of people. The worldwide downturn in the copra markets has also had a significant effect on village incomes. Paid employment is believed to be less than 10%.
Government services function poorly. For example, in 2002 no Government salaries were being paid. This included the police, air traffic controllers, customs and immigration and teachers. The teachers went on strike and so there was no school for several months.
The RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands) intervention in 2003 resulted in immediate improvement to law and order. Government salaries were at last paid and Government workers received assistance and training from their counterparts in the countries which were part of the Mission. However, there are still problems. For example, in August 2006, grant money given by the New Zealand Government to allow schools to buy paper, pencils, chalk and other supplies was nine months overdue. In April 2007, teachers at one school at least had not recently been paid their salaries. Hospitals depend on donations from overseas to keep up supplies of drugs and even goods like rubber gloves are often in short supply.
There are some towns (Honiara and Gizo are the largest) but most people live in villages on the many populated islands. Air transport is available between the main centres for those who can afford it. Local people normally travel by water, either on ferries or by canoe. There are few roads except in the main towns and the logging areas. In general, transport is extremely difficult and unreliable. For example, in 2006, no boat took passengers or goods from Gizo ( the nearest port) to the Shortland Islands for three months, despite their being many people and a great deal of cargo to be transported there.
Dearest Friends who have donated to those who suffered in the Tsunami:
Greetings from Gizo, in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands.
We have survived!!
Despite the widespread devastation, a sample of which is shown in the this photo, we are slowly making our way to recovery after the magnitude 8.1 earthquake of April 2, 2007 and the devastating Tsunami which followed. 
Amidst our turmoil, we had an inspiring experience of the visit of the World Youth Day Cross here in Gizo on April 15th, just 13 days after the disaster which left thousands homeless, and many of our friends and family lost or injured. The arrival of the WYD Cross and Icon of Mary, which are shown in the photo with the damaged cathedral in the background, became an image of our own suffering since the tsunami and earthquake.
There has been so much suffering and pain throughout the diocese. Our youth really rose to the challenge, tirelessly carting rice, feeding people and cleaning up the mess. "We hope to encourage our youths to continue on with their enthusiastic participation in the rebuilding process of our diocese and within their communities, especially amongst themselves and their families," said Joseph Lalaubatu, the Diocesan Youth Director.
