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"The primary need of these communities... is the need to access clean drinking water." |
West Papua is located on the western side of the island of New Guinea. It has been part of Indonesia for over fifty years. With extremely limited road infrastructure and approximately 60% of the indigenous population still living in the rugged central highlands region, many people are forced to travel long distances on foot to access basic government services and, in particular, functioning health clinics. Many indigenous Papuan communities live in abject poverty, with high rates of infant mortality and deaths from easily preventable diseases. The primary need of these communities, which remains unfulfilled for many Papuans, is the ability to access clean drinking water. The urgent necessity to improve access to clean water is recognised in every corner of Papua. WPDC’s Clean Water Program seeks to work with our local partner LEMAK to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water. |
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"Collaboration ensures both parties benefit from shared wisdom..." |
The wells built by WPDC and LEMAK provide secure, clean drinking water to communities living with higher mortality rates and death from preventable disease due to drinking contaminated water sources. Water demands in some areas are becoming increasingly unsustainable due to population growth around the nearby water sources. Additionally most regional communities are difficult to access due to the lack of roads. These challenges are overcome by using a hand-dug well model with transportable fibreglass moulds and engaging local villages in the planning, construction and maintenance of the wells. This approach provides a cheap, low-technology solution to rural water supplies as well as empowering individuals and their communities through project collaboration.
The need for a well is determined by a combination of research, familiarisation with living conditions in areas and community demand. Once a community has unanimously identified the need for a well and that has been agreed to by the local partner and a suitable site is determined, LEMAK personnel carry out a detailed survey of the proposed site and begin planning with village members. The utmost respect is shown by the local team towards people in villages ensuring the process at the village level is one that empowers the people and is a positive experience for all. The fibreglass moulds (engineered and built by Appropriate Technology PNG) enable culverts to be made on site and community members are trained in the casting of concrete culverts and in the construction and maintenance of the wells. The local partner whilst at the village also respectfully talks with people regarding positive water hygiene practices and sustainable uses of water resources. Our approach applies methodology that respects local conditions, expertise and traditions which ensure the sustainable use and protection of environmental resources. |
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"...the process at the village level is one that empowers the people and is a positive experience for all..." |
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There is a wealth of research demonstrating that by far the most significant improvements to health in tropical developing regions occur when programs address both clean water and sanitation needs of villages. In many areas of Papua, the primary water sources available to communities are local creeks and waterholes, which are accessed for every possible form of water usage, and are therefore prone to cross-contamination and pollution. Wells provide safe drinking, bathing and cooking water, whilst the construction of clean, well-planned toilet facilities ensures that water sources do not become contaminated. When both the dual needs of water access and safe sanitation are attended to, we see dramatic health improvements in local communities, particularly in the area of life expectancy for youngest and oldest members of families. Our local partners LEMAK rely on donations from other sources for its sanitation program, whilst for the present time WPDC is focusing primarily on the provision of clean water systems. |