NORTH GUADALCANAL is benefiting from the Solomon Islands Government funded Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH) rain catchment project which started in March 2016.
Chief Health Inspector of the Environmental Health department of the Ministry of Health (MHMS) Leonard Olivera said that as part the programme, participants attended a four days community engagement, monitoring and evaluation training which was completed yesterday.
He said they visited Vutu community on North Guadalcanal this week.
He said Guadalcanal province, live and learn, Red Cross and save the children are engaged in RWASH programmes in the province, and are monitoring the progress of the project in the community.
The project is ongoing in terms of installation of water tanks for Vutu community.
Mr Olivera said stakeholders deliberated on the challenges of implementing the community engagement process, understanding monitoring aspects and practical application to the scope of monitoring and evaluation of community WASH training.
Representatives from Stakeholders that attended the four days refresher training acknowledge that it provides opportunity for stakeholders involved in the RWASH programme to be able to come together and share their experiences.
Chief health inspector of Guadalcanal province, James Rizu thanked the National RWASH office for the accomplishment of the training.
He also recognised it as an opportunity to visit project sites and be able to monitor the outcome of RWASH projects in the community.
Not only that, but he pointed out that it will help stakeholders to make improvement regarding current RWASH project implementation as well as on how to approach future projects earmarked for the province.
RWASH Water tank project at the Vutu community is still implemented and is expected to complete by July 2016.
Mr Olivera acknowledged that stakeholders from various expertise and knowledge made important contributions to the overall success of the training.
“The workshop had met its objectives after the four days training. This type of training is expected to continue in other provinces next month and the rest of the year” he said.
He also mentioned that during the stakeholders’ field trip, the Chairman of Vutu community acknowledged the government’s support through RWASH which he said enables the community to access clean water.
Director of Environmental Health, Tom Nanau said communities have to organise themselves and take responsibility of the facilities to ensure sustainability of the project.
RWASH is a National Government Commitment of improving populations’ access to clean water and sanitation.
According to RWASH policy “Access to water and sanitation is a universal human right (UN Declaration July 2010). Water and sanitation can be directly linked to health, dignity, equality and safety, and sustainable environments, as well as being an economic investment.
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