Water access for Sun Valley community

Seventy-two households in Sun Valley community, East Honiara, now have improved access to water thanks to a new borehole and solar-powered water supply system, installed by World Vision.

The solar-powred water supply system that was handed over to the community.

The new water supply system was handed over to community members on Thursday as part of the Australian Government and World Vision Australia funded Urban WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Project.

For years community members have been using the nearby Lunga River to access cooking and drinking water and for bathing and washing.

Holes dug along the Lungga River bank to fetch water for drinking and cooking.

Margret Oneau, 53, has been residing in Sun Valley for most of her life and she has firsthand experience of the challenges his community faced with regards to access to water.

“Sometimes I return from the garden and take a short rest and then headed to the river to collect water. When I return to the house I take another short rest before doing the cooking. It’s tiring,” said Margret.

Sun Valley grandmother, Margret, doing her washing at Lungga River. Getting to the river is about 8 minutes walk.

On average, Margret goes to the river three or four times a day.

“We the women in this community are ones experiencing great tiredness,” said Margret.

Knox Amos, 67, from Sun Valley said accessing water has been a real challenge in their community.

Amos thanked World Vision for intervening and installing the water system.

“We are thankful that World Vision has helped improve our access to water. Our women and girls can now step out from their houses and get water,” said Amos.

Today water can be accessed at home. The water system is powered by a solar to draw water from a borehole and stores it in a tank. The tank distribute water through five standpipes across the community

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, DFAT representative, Judy Arume, said they are happy to see the project completed with the support of the Australian government.

DFAT representative, Judy, trying out one of the five standpipes in Sun Valley. Water accessed through the standpipes come from the new water supply system.

Judy acknowledged World Vision for spearheading the project to its completion and Sun Valley community for supporting the project from the start.

World Vision country director, Janes Ginting, said he hopes the water system will help make a difference in the community.

“My message is please take good care of the water system,” said Ginting.

World Vision country director, opening the new water supply system in Sun Valley community.

Chairman of the community WASH committee, Willie Gorate, said no words can describe how thankful they are for having the water system.

“The only thing we do is present to World Vision a gift (plaque) so they can also remember the partnership we have been enjoying,” said Willie.

Sun Valley WASH committee chairman, Willie, standing in front of their new water supply system.

As part of the project, World Vision provided clean-up tools, setup a committee to look after the community and provided training to community members on water, sanitation systems, solid waste management and hygiene.

The Urban WASH Project is funded by the Australian Government and World Vision Australia and aims to improve the health and safety of these communities by helping its people access to water, use improved sanitation facilities and practice appropriate solid waste and hygiene management.

The project also covers the Honiara communities of White River, Mamanawata, Fulisango and Burns Creek.