Kolomamata, Sidu and Kuchira in Isabel province have earned their No Open Defecation (NOD) status on the 19th of December 2019 amidst well – deserved celebrations.
This brings the number of certified communities in Isabel province to eighteen.
These significant, remarkable and positive achievements thanks to the Government of Australia for improvement of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the province which was implemented by Plan International Australia (PIA) in partnership with Live and Learn Solomon Islands (LLSI).
The project supports efforts by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) through the Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH) Unit of the Environmental Health Division (EHD) to provide safe drinking water and promotes improved sanitation and good hygiene in the rural areas.
The Country Manager for LLSI Elmah Panisi who attended the celebrations in Isabel praise and applauded the communities of Kolomamata,
Sidu and Kuchira for their great achievements. “It is a job well – done” She highlighted.
The Government of Australia has committed a significant amount of funds through Plan International Australia in partnership with Live and Learn Solomon Islands (LLSI) for the WASH project in Isabel.
However money alone would have had little impact, if it was not the culmination and hard work that has been carried out by the people of these communities and other important stakeholders including the Isabel Provincial Government, Isabel Provincial Health Environmental Health Division, Isabel Health Promotion Unit, chiefs and community leaders. This is indeed a Community Led Total Sanitation Programme. It has been the people of Kolomamata, Sidu and Kuchira who ride the show, who toil to build the toilets, who are willing to learn to change and live in a clean environment where there are no human faeces seen in and around their villages.
Ms. Panisi in her final remarks said “It is therefore a privilege and an honour to attend your celebrations and congratulate you, on behalf of the Australian Government, Plan International Australia and Live and Learn Solomon Islands”.
The project is an Australian aid initiative implemented by Plan International Australia in partnership with Live & Learn Solomon Islands on behalf of the Australian Government.
By Mr. Erick Hale
Senior Project Officer – WASH
Plan International Solomon Islands (PISI)
Honiara
