Rotary Pacific Water For Life Foundation Projects Benefited 53,000 Grateful Fijians

53,000 Fijians living in rural areas have benefited from Rotary Pacific Water For Life Foundation’s (RPW) support since 2007, and Roma villagers are some of these grateful recipients.

Water tank installed by RPW and Roma villagers

Roma is a beautiful village nested on the slope of a massive mountain on Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji. It overlooks a wide calm river flowing 200 meters below and faces a mountain range leading to the summit of Mount Victoria. From the capital city Suva, it takes about four hours by car to reach the end of the track which marks the beginning of a half an hour walk to the village, crossing the river a couple of times.

The 100 people in Roma live mainly in self-sufficiency with no electricity and without easy access to the rest of the island, understandably not having much income generated locally. Thus, when problems arose with their water supply, the villagers could not afford to fix it themselves, so they had to ask for RPW’s help.

Indeed, the water source used until then was located too low to cater by gravity for the whole population, forcing villagers living up the hill to carry buckets and drums for their basic needs (such as washing, cleaning and drinking etc). After finding and securing a new source of water higher up the hill, RPW provided the village with a water tank and new piping so that everyone can now enjoy safe drinking water.

At the official opening, the village representatives express their gratitude to RPW and asked the Manager Gaël Léopold to spread the word in Suva that they would also appreciate being connected to the main road, so that they can have access to the major markets.

Read more about RPW on www.rotarypacificwater.org.

 

- By Gaël Léopold, RPW Manager gael@rotarypacificwater.org +679-9056808

Rotary Pacific Water For Life Foundation's 189th Project in Fiji

Village children celebrate the availability of clean water

Fiji’s Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (who is the second highest person in charge after the Prime Minister) honored all with his presence at the official opening on July 18, 2012 of Rotary Pacific Water For Life Foundation’s (RPW) 189th project in Fiji.

Kids wore traditional Fijian outfits and carried Fijian Warrior Clubs to escort a 4x4 vehicle across the Wai District School compound. Fiji Water Global President David Ricanati and CEO Roko Nabalarua, RPW Manager Gaël Léopold, and other officials waited near the shade.

When the School Committee presented its request to RPW in May 2012, it was clear that something had to be done quickly, because 125 kids studying in the school ( including 25 living on site) didn’t have access to a regular supply of safe water for basic needs such as drinking, washing, cleaning, and cooking. Kids had to carry buckets and drums from the main water tank to the toilet bocks, dormitories, and kindergarten, etc. At times the tank would go dry when villagers downstream would pull more water for their own needs.

After assessing the situation and discussing his proposed solution with RPW’s Technical Advisory Committee, Projects Coordinator Etika Sing returned to the school with a clear plan to secure an independant and suitable source of water for the school only. Three weeks later, a borehole was completed 200 meters away from the school, new pipes were laid, and water tanks were installed. Today, clean drinking water is now flowing within the compound, and RPW is looking at upgrading a few other elements of their water system, including the toilets block.

This project is another example of what can be done through the Rotary Matching Grant mechanism. This project was funded by the Rotary Clubs of Gloucester in UK and Suva East, with the support of Fiji Water and Vodafone Foundations.

Discover more about RPW on www.rotarypacificwater.org.

- By Gaël Léopold, RPW Manager gael@rotarypacificwater.org +679-9056808