Maternal Health Movement Reaches Solomon Islands Villages

In the Solomon Islands, Joseph Taungani is intent on making positive, impactful, sustainable change in people’s lives. 

As a Project Coordinator for World Vision Solomon Islands, Joseph has dedicated his life to protecting children and promoting the health of mothers. 

With a background in child protection and public health, his passion is deeply rooted in the challenges he has witnessed firsthand.

“Maternal and infant deaths in our rural health centers are real—and heartbreaking,” Joseph says. 

“Many women wait until six or seven months into their pregnancy to seek care, simply because health facilities are too far, or cultural barriers hold them back,” he added.

But through a joint effort by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), World Health Organization (WHO), and generous funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), implemented through World Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI), a transformative community engagement programme is reaching deep into villages to address these life-threatening gaps.

Since January, Joseph and his team have already reached over 250 mothers in Malaita and Guadalcanal through consultations, education sessions, and community engagement. 

The most powerful impact, though, is the response among men.

“They are starting to show up. Men are sitting through consultations, asking questions, gradually becoming champions of maternal health,” Joseph shares. 

“One health promotion officer even told me, ‘Send more men. We need them to lead this, too.”

“I think it’s important for us to know what are the things that we, as fathers, need to take into account, especially for the mothers during their pregnancy,” said Nickson Devesi, one of the male participants in the consultation. 

Nickson said it is essential for others to take note of such consultations. 

“These things help community members to be informed about how to care for a child properly.

“People should be reminded of the things they should do to ensure the health of everyone in their family.”

Joseph credits much of the project’s smooth implementation to the strong support of the MHMS, KOICA, and WHO.

 “We’re grateful for the resources from MHMS, the tools WHO provided, and KOICA’s funding that allowed us to go to communities without interruption. 

“On behalf of World Vision, I would like to thank the Korean Government and the people of the Republic of Korea for their support and assistance in enabling us to fulfill our mission in maternal and child health. This partnership isn’t just administrative—it’s saving lives.”

Linda Elvis, a schoolteacher and mother to three adopted girls, was deeply moved by what she learned during the consultation. 

“I joined even though I’m not a biological mother,” she says. 

“Because I have children in my care—and because other women in our village need help, too,” Linda added.

For Linda, the message was clear: early care is essential. 

“I didn’t know before that mothers should seek care as early as one or two months into pregnancy. 

“So many wait too long, and then they lose their babies. Now I want to teach other women in my community, especially those who haven’t had an education, what I’ve learned from this consultation.”

Her next step? Organize a village meeting. 

“We’ll gather the community—chiefs, mothers,

fathers—everyone, and share the knowledge I got from the consultation. This isn’t just for me. It’s for all of us.”

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the MHMS, KOICA, WVSI and WHO, the initiative has become more of a movement rather than a project. 

A movement that reaches into the furthest villages, sparks life-changing conversations, and places mothers and children at the center of care and compassion.

Joseph puts it best: “When donors believe in us, they don’t just fund activities—they give life, knowledge, and hope to people who need it most.”