Educational Capacity Building in Fiji

Dear Supporters, 

Since the devastating effects of Cyclone Winston, GVI Fiji have interacted with over 639 people, including nearly all the children, in the Dawasamu District, relying on the previous relationships built up within the community to effectively assist post- disaster and promote the effective provision of WASH facilities and awareness. 

Greater access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene after a disaster has hit, can lessen the impact of diarrhea outbreaks, and reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality associated with faecal-oral infections which often increase in incidence following a natural or man-made disaster. In some emergencies and post-emergency situations, diarrhea can be responsible for the majority of deaths. 

Realising the importance of providing access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene during this time, and ensuring the spread of disease is minimal by encouraging hygiene promotion and sanitation facilities that are both working and sanitary is essential. Furthermore, these activities reinforce the need to practice good Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) access both during, and post-emergency, thus contributing to long-term development.

We have done, amoungst other things, the following to promote safe WASH practices:

• Installed 4 Hand washing stations (i.e., Happy Taps) in an effort to increase access to safe hand-washing facilities in areas without working taps, mainly near the kitchen or next to toilets. As well as ensuring safe water is in sufficient quantity for regular hand washing to be achieved, GVI has ensured the availability of soap, using a soap on a rope and the delivery of soap to all households in the District.
• Supplied 45 UNICEF Emergency WASH posters in Fijian to homes throughout the district.
• Carrying out hygiene promotion strategies to encourage hand washing with soap and other hygienic behavior practices.
• Developed a WASH presentation that is delivered to children of all ages, small adult groups and during house-to-house visits. These presentations proved to be successful, and already women are asking for advice regarding health and hygiene.
• Engaged children in a hand washing song, and playing hand games with glitter to depict how germs spread.

Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time. 

With Gratitude, 

GVI Fiji

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