02/01/10 - Settlements get piped water for the first time
MORE than 1250 villagers in four settlements in the Yasawas have, for the first time, access to safe and clean drinking water.
This is all thanks to four projects sponsored by the Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation.
The projects involved sourcing water from natural spring catchments, installing 10,000 litre water tanks in individual villages and overseeing piping to homes.
The projects were completed at the beginning of last month at a cost of $80,000. Three of the four projects at Teci, Bukama and Dalomo villages on Yasawa Island were commissioned just before Christmas.
FIJI Water Foundation director external affairs and development, David Roth, was chief guest at the commissioning. Also present was Peter Warnett, Westpac Banking Corporation's acting general manager and head of Fiji business and corporate banking.
Westpac, FIJI Water Foundation, Golden Manufacturers and the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation are local donors to the Water for Life project.
Rotary International Foundation is the international donor.
Teci Village headman Jale Nasegesege said the water project had greatly assisted the village school, Bouwaqa Primary School.
Headteacher Epineri Tale said that for the last 27 years, teachers had been walking to the river to fetch water.
Now, he said, they would no longer have to do that.
"Many teachers have come and gone, and all have endured hardship in getting water," Mr Tale said.
"But with the new system, which is bringing piped water right to their doorstep, this is all a thing of the past.
"Six teachers' quarters and the school now have piped water. Vinaka vakalevu is all we can say and may God bless you. The children and teachers are truly grateful."
Headman at Bukama, Timoci Tuva, expressed gratitude on behalf of the village, saying they now no longer had to worry about low water supply during the dry season.
"A big vinaka vakalevu ... for helping the children of Yasawa Island," he said.
Villagers from Bukama, Dalomo and Teci prepared all week for the festivities and the feasting, which included fish, crabs and other delicacies from the sea.
A turtle was also caught for the feast but it was later released with the permission of village elders.
FIJI TIMES, Saturday 2 January 2010
This is all thanks to four projects sponsored by the Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation.
The projects involved sourcing water from natural spring catchments, installing 10,000 litre water tanks in individual villages and overseeing piping to homes.
The projects were completed at the beginning of last month at a cost of $80,000. Three of the four projects at Teci, Bukama and Dalomo villages on Yasawa Island were commissioned just before Christmas.
FIJI Water Foundation director external affairs and development, David Roth, was chief guest at the commissioning. Also present was Peter Warnett, Westpac Banking Corporation's acting general manager and head of Fiji business and corporate banking.
Westpac, FIJI Water Foundation, Golden Manufacturers and the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation are local donors to the Water for Life project.
Rotary International Foundation is the international donor.
Teci Village headman Jale Nasegesege said the water project had greatly assisted the village school, Bouwaqa Primary School.
Headteacher Epineri Tale said that for the last 27 years, teachers had been walking to the river to fetch water.
Now, he said, they would no longer have to do that.
"Many teachers have come and gone, and all have endured hardship in getting water," Mr Tale said.
"But with the new system, which is bringing piped water right to their doorstep, this is all a thing of the past.
"Six teachers' quarters and the school now have piped water. Vinaka vakalevu is all we can say and may God bless you. The children and teachers are truly grateful."
Headman at Bukama, Timoci Tuva, expressed gratitude on behalf of the village, saying they now no longer had to worry about low water supply during the dry season.
"A big vinaka vakalevu ... for helping the children of Yasawa Island," he said.
Villagers from Bukama, Dalomo and Teci prepared all week for the festivities and the feasting, which included fish, crabs and other delicacies from the sea.
A turtle was also caught for the feast but it was later released with the permission of village elders.
FIJI TIMES, Saturday 2 January 2010
