A $38,000 rainwater harvesting system has ended years of struggle by Yanuya and Tavua villagers on Malolo Island by giving them access to clean and safe drinking water.
The project was funded by the New Zealand High Commission in co-operation with Habitat for Humanity Fiji and Vinaka Fiji.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr commissioned the project this week.
“Rainwater harvest is a remarkably sustainable way to capture rainwater, it’s a simple system but its durability and quality will provide you with access to the clean, drinking water that you need,” he said.
“This is a basic human right which is important for everyone, we sometimes think of water as being free but water has tremendous value, you might not have to pay for it but we do need to protect it and conserve it and use it wisely, we know how difficult it can be if we don’t have enough as it is a source of life.
“Because of climate change and changing weather conditions, life has been difficult in the village, drying up of water sources, boreholes and wells and such alternative is very important, the high commission is privileged of funding this project to help in implementing this new rain harvest system.”
Yanuya Village headman Jone Rabalolo said the project was the first ever of its kind and brought an end to a major issue faced by their community for decades.
