A recent internship at Saru MGM Primary School has ignited an important dialogue about water safety and sanitation, spearheaded by Maho Yoshida, a student from Saitama, Japan. This ten-day project, arranged through Social Innovation Fiji (SIF), was centered around Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.
Yoshida, fueled by her commitment to addressing pressing global issues collaboratively and swiftly, identified clean water as a critical concern during her time in Fiji. Within just four days, she successfully transitioned her project from concept to reality after obtaining approvals from essential government entities.
“I approached the Ministry of Education to seek approval, and then I visited the Water Authority of Fiji to find the best primary school for my initiative,” she explained. Despite feeling anxious about reaching out to the ministry and the Water Authority, Yoshida expressed gratitude for the local support that facilitated her efforts. “I was so nervous, but they were so kind and accepted my project quickly.”
Her project employed a dynamic mix of visual presentations and engaging physical activities to educate the students. Yoshida aimed to teach the children about harvesting clean water from rain, incorporating interactive elements like dance to enhance the learning experience.
The initiative was strongly endorsed by the head of Saru MGM Primary School, who recognized the significance of educating children about water safety. “Rainwater is challenging to drink directly; we need to filter and boil it before use, but many children may not be aware of this.”
Looking ahead, Yoshida aspires to expand her project by collaborating with Japanese companies to further contribute to Fiji’s water safety efforts. Although her current initiative has concluded, she views this experience as the foundation for a broader impact in the region, fostering hope for sustainable solutions to water challenges.
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