Fiji, a small island nation in the South Pacific, is home to light-hearted and caring people. It is characterized by white sandy beaches and crystal clear water, but this stereotype only scratches the surface. Deep in the interior highlands lie hundreds of tribal villages. These communities rely on agricultural-based farming economies. Communalism is at the core of Fijian culture. Villages do everything together- farming, cooking, and eating. 

Deep in the interior of Sigatoka River Valley lies Naveyago Village, home to approximately 170 community members. The village faces critical challenges related to access to clean, reliable water. This lack of water greatly affects every aspect of daily life, especially the village's health and livelihood. 

Naveyago is situated in the interior highlands of the Nadroga Province. The village is home to approximately 170 residents, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled. The village lies directly next to Sigatoka River where the community spends their days farming crops such as cucumber, tomato, long beans, watermelon, papaya, and so much more. This area is known as the “salad bowl” in Fiji, providing the rest of the main island with all these fresh and nourishing produce. Additionally to farming, the community spends their day fishing, swimming, and cleaning in the river. 


Although this river provides so much for this community, it is also the village's only water source. This lack of clean and safe running water forces all community members, young and old, to rely on the river for essential tasks such as cooking, cleaning, work purposes and for drinking water. This water source is highly contaminated due to agricultural runoff and animal waste, which poses serious health risks. As a result, the village has seen a rise in waterborne diseases, including leptospirosis, typhoid, diarrhea, and various skin conditions.


External funding is needed to cover the costs of materials to build gutters and rain catchments as the community lacks the resources to fund an infrastructure project on its own. The project is entirely community-led, involving the creation of a water committee and maintenance team. This grant will support capacity-building activities, enabling the community to manage the project, understand the process, and develop trade skills for future sustainability

Project Objective:

To install gutters and rain catchments to each home in the village as well as the church and village hall. These additions will provide each home with a safe, clean, and reliant water source, eliminating the exhausting trek to the river to fetch unsanitary water. This water project addresses the village’s critical needs and promotes economic growth and community well-being, ensuring a healthier and more resilient future for Naveyago Village. 


Budget: All costs in FJD

  • Gutter 30 x 3m lengths @ $40/length = $1,200

  • Gutter bracket x 150 @ $4 = $600

  • Down pipe x 10 x 6m @ $29.50 = $295

  • Plumbing parts $500

  • Wheel barrow x 2 @ $185 = $370

  • Blocks 40/base is 1200 blocks @ $2.40/block = $2,800

  • Steel rods 6” & 6m each @ $15.80each = $1,890

  • Cement 40kg bags @ $19.50each = $2,340

  • Tools = $1,000

  • Contingency = $1,000

  • Signage board = $90.00

  • Transportation = $30

  • FJ$12,115

  • AUD$8349.60

  • USD$5244.65


Labour:

Project Lead will be the water committee head and certified plumber, Sikeli Gudru. As a sign of goodwill, everyone will help where they can. Preparing food, construction, wheelbarrowing, leading, and monitoring safety, free of charge, for the betterment of their community (AKA Solesolevaki).


The installation of gutters and rain catchments will: 

  • Provide a sustainable, clean, and safe water source for the villagers 

  • It will take away the unsanitary and strenuous trek to the river to retrieve water for daily needs 

  • Boost the local economy by helping farmers clean their produce efficiently

  • Offer new income-generating opportunities for the women’s group such as selling ice blocks with clean water

  • Improve public health by reducing waterborne diseases 

  • Providing disaster preparedness with water storage for cooking, sanitation, and drinking.


Solesolevaki:

The idea of working together or solesolevaki is deeply rooted in Fijian culture. The labor will be provided by able-bodied men. They will meet daily, led by the Project Lead (a certified plumber), to ensure project efficiency and communication. Their meals will be kindly provided by the women’s group. This is an opportunity for skills development among villagers in project management as well as knowledge of construction and plumbing techniques. 


Transparency:

The assigned trustees, Sikeli Gudru and Aliveta will keep receipts in paper form and send them to Mates Fiji digitally to keep track of the funds. At the end of each week, the project committee will meet with the Turaga ni Koro and water committee  to discuss and review the quality of the work completed that week. This way they will be able to make any amendments and resolve problems to prepare for the next week of work.

This project was designed in collaboration with the village to find the most sustainable solution. Mates Fiji is providing the copyright and platform - because Naveyago had approved funding from USAID, but due to a federal foreign aid spending freeze by the US government executive order, it is unclear whether or not they will receive funding.


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