A TOTAL of 11 schools in Honiara are set to benefit from an USD400,000 Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) initiative funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The initiative to be implemented by Live and Learn Solomon Islands was launched in Honiara at a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) workshop to introduce the 11 new school projects that will be implemented over an 18-month period from January 2025 to June 2026.
The projects are aimed at enhancing WASH standards and promote hygiene education within the recipient schools.
The half day workshop brought together representatives from the eleven selected schools, as well as key stakeholders, including Solomon Water, Plan International Solomon Islands, Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and Live & Learn Solomon Islands.
The workshop saw participants discuss the benefits of the new WASH projects as well as challenges that may be encountered.
WASH in Schools Coordinator for Plan International Solomon Islands, Angeline Bisi outlined the purpose of the workshop.
“This workshop is essentially about the inception meeting for the launch of the WASH school project. The outcome of the projects is primarily focused on improving WASH facilities and promoting better hygiene behaviors within the 11 selected schools in Honiara.”
Ms Bisi said the projects will cover training for teachers and students to ensure these schools and access clean and safe water and sanitation in the 11 selected schools.
The ADB contracted Solomon Water for the implementation of the project. Solomon Water subcontracted the project to Plan International following a competitive tendering process, which started in March 2024. Plan International in turn engaged Live and Learn Solomon Islands.
Plan International Australia and Plan International Solomon Islands will work closely with local staff from Live and Learn and local trade contractors for the duration of the project.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
