The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Solomon Islands, through its Turn on the Tap (TOTT) project, successfully completed and handed over new sanitation facilities for two schools in the Solomon Islands earlier in October 2024.

Ngari Primary School (NPS) on West Gizo Island, operated by the United Church Education Authority (UCEA), received a new sanitation facility. Titiana High School and Primary School, also managed by UCEA, benefitted from a newly renovated ablution block.

The projects were fully funded by ADRA Australia and implemented by ADRA Solomon Islands under the TOTT project. This project improves water, sanitation, and hygiene in primary and secondary schools across the Solomon Islands. It aims to partner with local leaders, education authorities, and businesses to provide fresh water, clean toilets, low-cost menstrual products, and hygiene education.

Speaking at the official handover at Tatiana School, Western Provincial Government’s Minister of Health and Medical Services, Kenneth George, encouraged staff and students to take good care of the new facility.

“This is an important project, implemented specifically for your use,” George said. “I urge all of you, including the surrounding communities, to respect these facilities and maintain them so they can continue to serve future generations.”

He also suggested that the school must allocate part of its budget for the upkeep of the facility, including the provision of toilet paper, detergents, soap, and sanitary products for young girls.

ADRA Solomon Islands Director Leyn Gantare emphasized the importance of maintaining the facility for the benefit of students’ health. “I urge school leaders and students to keep the facility clean, ensuring its long-term use and sustainability,” Gantare said.

Deputy principal of Titiana Community High School Dennis Doro Narakana thanked ADRA Solomon Islands for the renovations. “We have long struggled without proper ablution facilities, which made things difficult for our students,” Narakana said. “Today, we are truly grateful to ADRA Solomon Islands for upgrading our rundown block, giving our students access to clean and proper facilities.”

Davies Pitavoqa, on behalf of the UCEA, also expressed his appreciation to ADRA for the financial support. “We are very thankful to ADRA Australia and ADRA Solomon Islands for funding this important project,” Pitavoqa said. “We recognize the hard work and commitment that went into its successful completion, and we truly appreciate this contribution to our school and our students.”

Construction began in May 2024 and was completed in June.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.