A farming community in Fiji’s Western Division has gained access to clean water for the first time in nearly 50 years, following the installation of boreholes and a home distribution system.
The Vaivai community in Lautoka, long plagued by water shortages, has relied on rivers and rainwater, leaving residents vulnerable to disease and hardship.
Now, a new project funded through a $50,000 grant is changing lives and bringing hope to the community.
For residents like Daya Wati, the challenges of unreliable water supply were an exhausting daily reality.
“Before the borehole installation, we had no choice but to depend on the nearby river. Even when I was pregnant or unwell, I had to carry water. My children and I would walk long distances, sometimes at night, using a torch and bullocks to transport heavy loads,” she said.
The river was their only source of water for drinking, bathing, and washing clothes. But with no proper filtration, waterborne diseases were common, leaving families with little choice but to endure repeated illnesses.
Rakesh Raj remembers the struggles his mother faced while he was growing up in Vaivai.
“Every day, she walked to the river to fetch water. Even during pregnancy, she never complained, but I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. During the dry season, the river would dry up, and we had to boil whatever water we could find. Even then, diseases were common,” he recalled.
With support from a $50,000 grant through the Small Grants Programme (SGP), the local organisation BIRTH Fiji has drilled five boreholes, installed 10,000-litre water tanks, and set up a distribution system to supply water directly to homes.
For Wati’s family, the impact has been life-changing.
“Having a reliable water source means everything for my home, my children, and my grandchildren. We no longer have to spend hours fetching water or worry about sickness from dirty water. My children can focus on school, and I can focus on providing a better future for them,” she said.
For many, this marks the first time in nearly half a century that clean, accessible water has been available. Kumar described the relief of finally being able to shower in her bathroom, knowing her drinking water is safe.
Veena Devi believes the borehole project will reshape the way the community works together.
“This project removes one of the biggest struggles that held us back. Now, we can focus on sanitation, growing food, and improving our livelihoods. Instead of worrying about fetching water, we can invest in education and economic opportunities,” she said.
A newly established water committee will oversee the maintenance of the infrastructure, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.
“The boreholes are not just providing water to the Vaivai communities; they are restoring dignity, improving health, and offering a brighter future for generations to come,” said BIRTH Fiji founder Nisha Khan. “I want to highlight that through the support of the UNSGP, especially Losana Mualaulau and Akisi Bolabola, BIRTH Fiji has been able to implement this borehole project in Vaivai with funding from UNSGP grants, and we are deeply grateful for their continued support.”
