Live & Learn PNG in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, have extended the reach of Sanitation Marketing to more communities, with activities commencing in Fatmilak Village in Tikana Local Level Government area. Using the sanitation marketing model established through the Australian government Civil Society Organisation, Live & Learn PNG have helped set up the management of a Community-Based Sanitation Enterprise in Fatmilak Village and trained community youth on toilet construction and environmental protection to ensure safe sanitation is maintained and to minimise the risk of contaminating ground water.
This was made possible through funding support from Vitol Foundation, which has enabled the Live & Learn team in Kavieng to support the setting up of an additional community WASH initiative by the Fatmilak Village Planning Committee. Fatmilak Village aims to make their village free of open defecation.
Since completing their training two toilets have been constructed for the village community hall. The community have also organised households into groups of 10 to raise funds for toilet construction materials. The materials will then be given to the Community-based Sanitation Enterprise construction team to build the toilet. Labour costs will be met by the household groups, either through cash or other forms of payment agreed to at the community level.
The project has become so popular that the local government member, as well as the Provincial Government have begun negotiations with the Fatmilak WASH Committee to identify areas for government support and partnership. A good number of male and female young people have joined the project and are involved in construction and community awareness activities relating to water, sanitation and hygiene.
Live & Learn in Kavieng is committed to continuing to build the capacity of local youth in WASH construction skills and also increase availability of WASH products at the community level through the community-based sanitation enterprises.
Story by Patrick Topital, Live & Learn PNG
