This is a short documentary showing a project that we recently completed in a very remote community in Big Bay Bush, Santo.
Before coming to Vanuatu we are briefed about expectations and trying to limit these to make our experiences easier. Despite this I was holding a small hope of being able to install a new system from start to finish, and I’m very lucky to say that this goal was realised.
I’m very honoured to be presenting at this years Engineers Without Borders Humanitarian Engineering Conference in Auckland on 27th July. I attended last year just before heading off on my journey to Vanuatu and it was a great little primer for my first jaunt into development.
One year on and I have had a very full and fulfilling year working in rural water supply development on Santo Island in Vanuatu. On top of that I have been heavily involved with the emergency response for those evacuated from Ambae Island to Santo due to volcanic ash fall last year.
I was pretty pleased today to be getting into some real work, with the hands y’know. Not like typing with the hands, but like using a saw with the hands, drilling screws with the hands (using tools as well of course), and even connecting plastic pipes with the hands.
Checking in from South West Bay Malekula, a little village called Lawa where we’ve just completed four days of Drinking Water Safety Security Planning, the DWSSP, a bit of a tongue twister, but we got through the whole process. From describing the supply, looking at risks, then coming up with community and water committee actions for improvement.
