Australian High Commission donates water tanks to Namulomulo village

24 January 2011

Namulomulo village, in the Tikina of Vugalei, is now enjoying a consistent and clean water supply, thanks to the donation of 11 water tanks by the Australian High Commission.

The project was coordinated by the Veilomani Women’s Club, which secured a grant of $5,670 under the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP).

While inspecting the project, Third Secretary at the Australian High Commission, Ms Claire Scott, said the Australian High Commission was happy to have been able to support the project as it recognised that safe drinking water was fundamental to good health and community development.

The villagers were very grateful to the Australian Government for the assistance. The Veilomani Women’s Club President, Mrs Tuinakelo, said the tanks would alleviate the water shortages faced by the villagers and also improve their standard of living by providing a clean supply of fresh water.

According to Mrs Tuinakelo, water shortages had been a daily problem for villagers in Namulomulo for many years, and they had relied on nearby creeks and wells for their daily needs like cooking, bathing and washing. She said the village had also been highly vulnerable to water borne diseases like diarrhoea and typhoid. Thanks to the Australian High Commission, they would have less worry about such problems.

While the project was made possible by the DAP funding, the community also made a contribution by providing manpower for the construction of the bases for the tanks. The villagers also installed their own roof guttering and downpipes to feed rainwater into the tanks.

**ENDS**