THREE hundred villagers of Navuniivi Village in Ra have access to safe tap water thanks to Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation.

The water was sourced from a spring catchment in the village and water tanks at a cost of $20,000.

The new facility was commissioned over the weekend by Marius-Adrian Oancea, an attachÚ with the Suva-based European Commission Infrastructure Section.

Navuniivi villagers previously had to walk to their source of water and the new development has brought relief especially to the women and children.

Established in August 2007, the foundation has been providing rural communities sustainable and safe drinking water.

It has completed 73 projects at a cost of $955,000 which benefit 23,950 people.

There are 130 developing projects on Viti Levu, in the Yasawa Group , Kadavu and Vanua Levu to be commissioned soon.

The projects are a partnership between the foundation and the villagers.

While the foundation provides funding villages assist in the construction and installation works involved in their projects.

The foundation receives annual funding from the Fiji Water Foundation, Golden Manufacturers, Westpac Banking Corporation and the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation.

Offshore funding is provided by Rotary International Foundation.

FIJI Times, 16 October 2009.