350 villagers and 180 students of Wainimakutu to benefit from new water system

350 villagers and 180 students in Wainimakutu will now have access to clean water after the commissioning of the Wainimakutu Village, Wainimakutu Primary School and Wainimakutu Secondary School Water Projects.

This has been made possible through the Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation (RPW) under its “Rural WASH Programme” funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Rotary New Zealand World Community Services, VaiWai Natural Artesian Waters and Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation.

The 3 water projects worth $120,000 are implemented under the ‘Rural WASH Programme, which aims to improve rural WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) infrastructure in 12 communities and schools in Namosi and Cakaudrove in Fiji.

The slow sand filtration water treatment system constructed which uses an ecological purification method to treat bacterial, faecal coliform and mineral contamination has strengthened people and children of Wainimakutu in addressing the adverse effects of climate change and waterborne diseases.

The Wainimakutu Village Water Committee has been established and trained as a community governance structure responsible for the coordination, operation and maintenance of the water treatment system.

The water project has significantly improved the economic status of families especially as women and girls are now able to contribute towards livelihood activities such as farming and other income generation activities.

In addition, water sanitation and hygiene training, soap-making training and menstrual hygiene awareness have been provided to the villagers and school students.

Before the intervention, Wainimakutu Village and schools struggled to access clean water, were prone to waterborne diseases, and often faced water supply disruptions.

Today, the village and schools have a new water supply system with a dam, water treatment system, water storage tanks and clean water reaching each household.