VATULELE DISTRICT SCHOOL

otary Pacific Water first assessed the leakage situation, increased storage volume and installed a new pump that now distributes water to a raised storage tank.

Supported By:

Rainwater harvesting systems

Rainwater harvesting systems effectively catch rainfall from a network of pipes installed on the roof of a building.

Rainwater harvesting systems capture rainwater by directing it from large surfaces (e.g. roofs) to an over-ground holding tank.

The harvested rainwater is filtered and then pumped directly to the appliances or to a header tank.

Our Projects Officer, Atalifo and Maciu the plumber building a shelter box for a new water pump.

Completed housing for the new water pump. The pump will carry rainwater to a raised tank used to flush toilets at Vatulele District School.

This cement storage tank supplies water to an elevated rota tank via this 20mm pvc connection.

Newly installed rota tanks provide safe drinking water to the teachers quarters at Vatulele District School

Fulori collects ground water from an unprotected well outside her home. Villagers use the water collected for bathing and washing but it is not adequate for drinking.

Children from Lomani and Bouwaqa village walk up to 2 hours every morning to reach Vatulele District School. Last year, the primary school experienced water shortages and students were returning home after lunch. Better management and upgrade to the rainwater storage system has lifted the sanitation and hygiene standard, and significantly improved school attendance.

Doctor Tevita Navuda describes how a ball of hookworms were found in the intestines of a six year old boy who died last year. Acute diarrhoea disease is common on the island, due largely to water contamination.

The deep resonating thump of wood beating against wood echoes around the village. Mere and Loraini are making tapa cloth; a tradition unique to Vatulele.

Tara decorates the dried tapa cloth with stencil designs and dye obtained from mangroves, charcoal and seeds. Access to safer drinking water is vital for livelihoods and income generating activities.

Water is fetched from an unprotected well using a bucket. Soko boils the water over a fire to kill off some of the bacteria, however there is no guarantee that it’s safe for drinking.

Soko prepares cassava, she cuts off the skin and chops it into large pieces, which are rinsed before being boiled in salt and water

Lunch break starts at 12pm, and the headmaster’s children come running home from school. Soko serves them noodle soup with bele and tin fish, which they eat with cassava.

Project Stats

Numbers speak 🙂

People

Families

Women & Children

Project Details

Applicabillity

When a community receives a substantial amount of rainfall and access to alternative sources of water are scarce.

Project construction duration

3 weeks (installment for 10-15 homes)

Level of maintenance

Moderate *roofs and pipes need regular cleaning at the end of every dry season.

Donor

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade via Rotary New Zealand World Community Services Ltd

The Situation

In the past, an unprotected well was used for sanitation needs in the school community.

This was closed by the public health inspector due to faecal contamination.

The school headteacher requested assistance in 2012 to increase rainwater storage for sanitation use.

Rotary Pacific Water first assessed the leakage situation, increased storage volume and installed a new pump that now distributes water to a raised storage tank, supplying water to the schools 10 flush toilets.

This project was made possible with funding from the New Zealand Aid Programme via Rotary NZ Community Services Ltd.