Sunday 8th June, it´s World Oceans Day and I was reflecting on how there are moments in our work that go beyond reports and data—that connect us deeply to the people and places we serve.
My recent monitoring visit to the Ofu Community in the Bita’ama region in North Malaita was one of those moments. As a Small Grants Programme (SGP) officer—and as someone who is proudly half-Malaitan—this journey felt like coming home.
To reach Ofu Community, we passed through the stunning Osi Lake, where water lilies bloom gracefully over still, mirrored waters. It was a sunny and beautiful day. And that place it’s the kind of place that makes you stop mid-sentence just to take in the view.
All the way from Auki, it’s a two-hour drive through a bad road that it´s being rehabilitated along Malaita’s northern coast, passing quiet villages and dense forests to one side and the ocean on the other. It’s a long ride, but one rich in beauty and anticipation.
We spent part of the day helping to collect and break ngali nuts, and I must say, it felt good to get my hands dirty. Our communications colleague—who happens to be from Spain—was absolutely fascinated, especially when we showed him how we climb the high trees to collect the nuts.
At the new ngali-nut processing and preservation house, the community proudly demonstrated how they’re now preparing and storing nuts in a more hygienic and sustainable way. This facility has already become both an economic asset and a local attraction.
One of the most moving parts of the visit was walking along the rehabilitated bay. This is an inspiring way to celebrate the ocean, especially today, 8 of June when every year the world pays special attention to this overexploited resource.
The community at Ofu realized this and has taken real ownership of marine conservation, especially around parrot fish protection and reef preservation. Coincidentally this year´s theme for World Ocean Day is Sustainable Fishing.
Standing there, looking out over those clear waters, I could see the difference for myself—not just in the environment, but in the pride shining through the eyes of those who have worked so hard to make it happen. They stopped fishing and proudly announce that the rift is regenerating and parrot fishes safe anew.
And the best part of the day, after visiting the project and finished with all work related formalities, the community had organized a traditional feast for us, with swamp taro pudding mixed with ngali nuts, prepared in the age-old way using a motu—an earth oven that slowly roasts the food underground.
What made this even more special was knowing the nuts were harvested from the very plantations restored by the community through the project. That meal wasn’t just a gesture of hospitality; it was a celebration of community leadership, empowered by little support and as a result the overall renewal of the community.
Of course, like in many communities, there’s still a lot to do. Infrastructure challenges remain, and sustainable livelihoods must continue to be strengthened. But there is something deeply reassuring about the way this community is organized and managing the project—with honesty, clarity, and purpose.
I left Ofu Community feeling hopeful. These are not just project sites on a map—they’re living stories of what’s possible when local knowledge meets opportunity. And as a Malaitan, it gives me extra pride to witness this transformation firsthand.
This visit reminded me why I do this work. It reminded me that conservation isn’t just about protecting nature—it’s about restoring dignity, culture, and hope to communities that have always been its best stewards.
Until next time, Ofu.
By Lorraine Bambu
Small Grants Programme Officer
The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a corporate programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1992.
