At 72-years-old, Timothy Rekoel carries the quiet strength of someone who has endured the unimaginable. A father of six, he has spent decades in Jackson Ridge, a suburb of Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands. He built a life there, raising a family and working hard, all while quietly living with the hidden dangers left behind by history. But one ordinary day in 1986 changed everything.
A neighbour had set fire to some vegetation after clearing brush, not realising the fire would ignite something buried deep in the soil. It was an unexploded bomb, a relic from World War II, and it detonated without warning. Timothy and his wife were nearby when the blast tore through the earth.
A piece of shrapnel lodged itself in Timothy's arm. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors removed the fragment – but the damage was done. The explosion left his left little finger permanently paralysed and caused hearing damage that still affects him to this day.
Timothy was unable to work and lost his job as a result of his injuries
Decades have passed, but the fear hasn't. Beneath the house Timothy shares with his wife, a small, raised cooking fire burns.
"We always raise our fires now", he explains. "We don't know what might still be buried below."
Their caution isn't unfounded. Not long ago, they discovered a hand grenade on their own land. And they're not alone. Just a short walk away in Gilbert Camp, more than 100 US-made explosives were unearthed in 2021.
These aren't isolated incidents. They're reminders of a much deeper legacy. During World War II, this region was part of a strategic military route toward Mount Austen, the site of intense fighting between Japanese and US forces. Today, the remnants of that war still lie just beneath the surface.
Fires must be raised off of the ground in case of deadly explosives under the surface
Since 2023, HALO has been working alongside local partners to survey the land of the hidden dangers that communities like Timothy's live with every day.
During the course of the survey, teams have identified nearly 8 square miles of hazardous land in the Honiara region alone, reporting over 3,000 explosive items to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
Each item reported is one less deadly risk for families, farmers, and children. HALO's work to survey land across Solomon Islands is paving the way for communities to plan for a safer future – whether that's building new homes, planting gardens, or simply walking freely without fear.
Left: HALO survey team member recording the location of unexploded ordnance. Right: Explosive items, similar to what could be found in Timothy's garden
Timothy's story is one of resilience. Despite the trauma he has carried for nearly 40 years, he still finds strength in the community he's helped build. He dreams of a future where fear doesn't live in his backyard.
Thanks to support from our community of donors and partners, that future is closer. Because no one should lose their job, their health or their peace of mind to a war that ended before they were born.
