Fiji

Yasawa Hub
Project Report
September 2014
Water Security and WASH

Final update on WASH initiative in Yaqeta Village
In May 2014, GVI completed a month long WASH initiative in Yaqeta village, in the central
Yasawa islands. Alongside a focus on hygiene and sanitation education and awareness, this
project successfully increased the capacity for available drinking water in the village by
42,000 litres. Following a recent assessment on the development and sustainability of this
initiative; The GVI team set out to further improve the quality and quantity of available
drinking water available in Yaqeta. This conclusion was based on an assessment of the
communitys cumulative drinking water requirements, current available water and potential
future water storage facilities. Based on the data volunteers and staff had collected and
analysed, it was clear that Yaqeta, due to population size, was in need of more rainwater
capacity to ensure the recommended minimum of 3 litres of drinking water per person per a
day could be continually achieved throughout the year and throughout the increasingly
severe dry season. Therefore, a further two rainwater harvesting systems were installed,
increasing potential capacity by a further 10, 600 litres bringing the overall total of potential
drinking water capacity made available by the project to 52, 600 litres.
WASH monitoring and Evaluation
As part of the follow up project, monitoring and evaluation of the work carried out in May
2014 was undertaken. This included an assessment of tanks previously installed and an
evaluation of perceived and evident
improvement to rainwater harvesting
collection and capacity. An evaluation of
the number of villagers who used the tippy
tap handwash stations and managed tippy
tap upkeep was carried out. Additionally,
using a UNICEF WASH survey, an
assessment of the water and sanitation
facilities at Yaqeta Primary school was
undertaken. From this assessment of
sanitation facilities at the school, GVI
community volunteers undertook some
basic maintenance of the school toilets.
Although this is not usually within the remit
of the programme, the grave state of the sanitation situation led to a decision for immediate
action and investigation with the school committee into the issues and source of the
problems. Volunteers and locals worked together to clean and unblock the toilets, fix toilet
doors, and develop a simple system for water collection that would enable some of the
toilets to remain functional.
1

After meeting with the school committee members responsible for the sanitation facilities,
it was clear that school toilet maintenance had not been given priority for quite some time.
All the toilets were full of excrement and maggots and had no lids or doors. It was
confirmed when speaking to the students that these toilets were not being used, forcing
children to defecate in the bush by the side of the school.
A meeting was held with the head teacher to discuss the ongoing sanitation problems within
the school. It has transpired that the committee are hoping to acquire flushing toilets in the
near future. As the success of flushing toilet systems in the Yasawas is very dependent on
the amount of water available, something which continues to be a significant problem, GVI
has strongly recommended that the school committee discuss the potential for composting
toilets. Although this was not necessarily met with complete enthusiasm, it is clear that it
would not be beneficial for the school to find themselves in the same situation at nearby
Ratu Meli Memorial School in Nacula which currently has a flushing system but no available
water to pump. At this stage GVI can only make strong recommendations to both the school
committee and the head teacher based on experience at neighboring schools within the
district and the empirical evidence and data collected on the water situation within the
village.

To follow up on the basic hygiene
lessons given earlier in the year as part
of the kids club, this project also
included formal and informal
educational WASH lessons. These
sessions used fun and informative
lessons to reiterate lessons previously
delivered back in May on basic
sanitation and hygiene awareness.
Many of the students remembered
the lessons they had received
previously and knew how to use the
hand washing stations (tippy taps).
However basic hygiene practices were
not always followed and could not be
easily observed by the GVI team,
indicating that implementing new
hygiene practices will take time.



2

Evaluation

The installation of two new tanks was much appreciated by the people of Yaqeta and will
increase the overall amount of available drinking water by a significant amount. However, at
the time of this assessment, Yaqeta was undergoing a change in leadership and committees
were as a result not fully functional. It was clear therefore that there was not a strong sense
of ownership and responsibility for tank cleaning and maintenance. Although further advice
and guidance on system cleaning was given by GVI, only time will tell whether this has been
implemented on a regular basis. In terms of future projects in Yaqeta, it is felt for the time
being that all potential work has been carried out. It would be beneficial, however, to
regularly check on tanks, the ongoing water situation and be in contact with new leadership
as it is elected. It is also recommended that GVI continues to assess the sanitation situation
at Yaqeta Primary School, giving advice and recommendations to ensure that good hygiene
and sanitation practices are upheld.
GVI Fiji
Appendix - List of materials used and example costs

Item
Cost/unit
Quantity
Total Cost

(FJD$)
Cement
15.40
8
123.20

Rebar (1/4 thick) 2.68
6
16.08
Brackets
1.20
20
24

Guttering Length 22.00
6
132
Connector
1.55
4
6.20

Expansion Head
7.50
2
15
End Cap
1.40
4
5.60

Elbow
4.00 (90 degree) 8.00
2
8 + 16

(120 degree)
(90)+2(120)
Downpipe
19.50
2
39

Tap
7.50
2
15
Fitting (SRB
2
2
4

20X15)
5300L tank
900
2
1800




2204.08

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initiatives in Fiji please visit www.gvi.org