The success of the Tetepare project lies in its ability to provide real benefits to its communities. One of our key focus areas is helping our members develop sustainable livelihoods.

Our first sustainable livelihood venture was setting up successful ecolodge on Tetepare Island, where visitors from around the world come to experience the pristine beauty and unique wildlife of Tetepare. The ecolodge employs local people as guides, cooks and hospitality workers and is also a source of pride for our TDA communities. Visitor numbers are growing each year, providing more job opportunities for local people.

We also run a ngali nut program, buying nuts from women in villages on nearby Rendova Island, and then shipping the nuts to a buyer in Honiara. The program aims to empower women in income generation.

We have developed a sustainable livelihoods strategy and are working to create more livelihood opportunities for TDA communities across the Western Province, through initiatives such providing training and equipment for communities to produce coconut oil, distributing drum ovens to communities wishing to set up village bakeries, assisting local carvers and artisans to find markets for their art works, and vegetable seed saving workshops and the distribution of high-quality vegetable seeds to local market gardeners.

Australian volunteer Gabe Mcghee is currently working as the TDA's Sustainable Livelihoods Advisor, through Australian Volunteers International. Gabe is helping the TDA to further develop its sustainable livelihoods strategy and implement livelihoods projects in TDA communities throughout the Western Province.