Proper Water Supply After 48 Years
More than 500 villagers receive early Christmas gift.
Villagers of Vakabuli in Lautoka were in a celebration mood yesterday after receiving an early Christmas gift. The New Zealand High Commission, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Fiji, constructed a new and improved dam for the village, supplying efficient water supply 24 hours to the 535 villagers and children of Ratu Saimoni Raseru Memorial Primary School. The new dam, funded by the New Zealand High Commission, was a special gift to the villagers, who were previously dependent on the old dam that was built in the 1970s.
New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Halia Haddad said the problems faced by the villagers and the school children was now history.
“The reliable supply of water captured by this new, larger dam, connected to the pipes which service the Village and the school, will provide a safe, sustainable source of clean water for drinking, and will help improve the sanitation,” she said.
“New Zealand, as I am sure you know, is a long standing and committed friend of Fiji. Projects and partnerships like this underscore the important ties between our two countries.”
Salanieta Ranitu, 59, who had both her limbs amputated because of diabetes, said it was a challenge for her when there was no water in the house.
“We were facing daily difficulties especially when there was lack of water, we had to go and fetch water from the nearby river,” she said.
“Even before, I had to wait when I wanted to go the washroom because there was no water. There was inconsistency of water supply in the village and I have to keep reminding my children to get water for my cleaning, washing and bathing but now with the proper water supply in my house I can do the washing and cleaning on my own.”
She said the old dam caused a lot of problem for them, even when there was a small downpour.
She said the insufficient water supply also affected the children’s education and they would miss classes at most times. Habitat for Humanity Fiji communications officer Aatika Patel said it was an overwhelming feeling knowing that the villagers and the children now had a consistent supply of clean water to drink.
She acknowledged their hardworking staff members for putting in the effort to successfully complete the dam.
Edited by Naisa Koroi