Improved water supply for Rorovana villagers

Hon. Melkior Dare(right) Community Development Minister in the Autonomous Bougainville Government, surrounded by locals celebrate the launching of the new water supply project in Rorovana.

THE people of Rorovana 1 village in the Eivo-Torau constituency of Central Bougainville will no longer have to climb steep mountains to fetch water for cooking and drinking, thanks to their local Catholic Women’s Group who campaigned hard to secure financial assistance towards a life changing water supply and sanitation project.

The women’s initiative became a reality after securing K57,000 from the Australian Government (through SPSN) with an additional contribution of K3,819 contributed by the Rorovana 1 community themselves.

Apart from securing the funding, the women’s group leader, Mary Genu and six youths from the area took the lead by physically carrying all the building materials, including three large water tanks, cement and water pipes, all the way up the mountain. Mary and her energetic youth assistants are now local heroes as all the villagers enjoy access to clean, fresh water right on their doorsteps for the first time in their lives.

After all the years of planning and hard work it was time for celebration when local Autonomous Bougainville member and Minister for Community Development, Melchior Dare launched the project last month.

“This project was identified after seeing the struggles that people faced in accessing clean water for cooking, drinking and bathing,” said Mary.
“Clean water is a priority in our area and this small project means a lot to us. The improved water and sanitation has resulted in women looking after their children better, washing and cleaning their clothes and utensils regularly, and they now have more time to spend with their children, unlike before when they would spend more time to walking up and down the mountain to fetch water.”
As if the first-ever fresh clean water supply for Rorovana 1 wasn’t enough for these miracle workers, Mrs Genu and her helpers were also able to construct Ventilated Improvement Pit (VIP) toilets in the village and at the Primary School.

SPSN’s Bougainville Field Coordinator, Thomas Betitis is full of praise for the teams’tenacity and hard work, saying: “The Rorovana 1 women’s initiative has improved the livelihoods of more than 1,000 people who are now boiling water before drinking; keeping their beach front clean and piling up biodegradable rubbish to rot as compost for improving soil fertility”.

Taking advantage of the interest and enthusiasm generated by this triumphant water project SPSN organised a fully inclusive KPP (Komuniti Projek Plening) to identify future priorities and needs for the community. This exercise and the associated training included and engaged with everyone in the community, including individuals and groups who might sometimes be excluded from decision-making. This gives future plans legitimacy and momentum.

“The involvement of women contributes to a positive status in their community. The training has given the women a sense of strength and confident in carrying out their roles on their own,” said Mary.
“Mipela iwok long gat luksave long Komuniti blong mipela, na dispela em givim strong long ol meri long wokim wok blong mipela long peles.”

The training has enabled women to confidently discuss, debate and become involved in plans for their future. They have formed a strong water committee, which looks after the village water wells and hygiene issues in the community. This new responsibility has enhanced the role and status of women and motivation is high.

The community has also seen more involvement of youth in various activities. They’re sharing ideas together and assisting with awareness programs to keep their living environment clean as well as contributing to village life through fishing, and organised sports.
So, from a simple water project, has flowed not just life giving water, but also a well of community spirit and hope; just the sort of dividends that SPSN is so proud to nurture and support.