UNICEF Opportunity for Mission – WASH in the Pacific
LCNZ and UNICEF invite you to support the WASH project which is aiming to install facilities in 7 schools in the Soloman Islands. This is designed to install hygiene facilities in these remaining schools in the Soloman Islands. This is an opportunity for you to make a difference.
Solomon Islands has a youthful population of just over 800,000 people. It is the second-poorest country in the region with inadequate transport links and low levels of investment. Solomon Islands ranks second lowest in the Pacific in terms of access to water in schools.
•17% of schools have access to basic sanitation
•60% of schools lack sanitation facilities
•12% of schools have basic hygiene services
•70% have no hygiene services
•36% of schools have basic drinking water services
•40% have no basic drinking water services
The Solomon Islands is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – only 31% of the population has access to basic sanitation.
However, there is hope. For the last decade, UNICEF in conjunction with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other valued donors has set out to implement projects that support water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools in the island of Guadalcanal. As part of UNICEF’s current project, we are seeking to construct WASH facilities in 39 schools across Solomon Islands. However, there is a challenge, current funding will only meet the needs of 32 schools. The total funding gap is USD $420,000 to construct WASH facilities in the remaining 7 schools.
Watch the video here
Here is the Raisley QR code to donate to this project. 
Or go to the website here: The Lutheran Church of New Zealand • Become a Pacific Champion
Why WASH matters?
Improved health and attendance: Safe water and good hygiene reduce the spread of disease leading to improved rates of attendance.
Keep girls in school: The lack of separate toilets for girls and boys is among the top barriers to girls’ education. When a girl reaches puberty, access to a separate toilet can determine whether she continues with her education or whether her schooling is interrupted on a monthly basis.
Minimises spread of disease: When children are introduced to hygienic practises at school they take these practises home, helping to reduce the spread of disease.
Please note that we were to announce this partnership at the LCNZ Convention of Synod. Because we ran out of time to complete our agenda, we did not add additional material. We were also experiencing some technology issues along the way where some of files did not want to play. We ask you to consider supporting this project.
