Villagers in Vunaniu, Serua, celebrated last week with the launch of four 10,000-liter water tanks. This initiative, funded by the Canada fund and facilitated by the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network Fiji, aims to provide a more reliable water source for residents who previously relied on a nearby creek.
Inoke Tuiwanunu, the LMMA program director, explained that this effort is part of the Vanua Sautu program, which also supports the village by providing a greenhouse nursery and the planting of approximately 2,000 mangrove plants and 1,000 native trees. This assistance marks Vunaniu Village as the first to receive help under the program following the COVID pandemic.
Tuiwanunu noted that the donation is designed to address the villagers’ water challenges during adverse weather conditions. Typically, villagers trekked about 300 meters to reach the nearest creek for washing. The newly installed water tanks allow for storage of up to 40,000 liters of water, ensuring a sustainable supply for the community even if the reservoir faces damage or disruption.
Additionally, the organization plans to offer financial literacy training to enhance the villagers’ economic empowerment while addressing conservation efforts.