Meeting the Needs of the Estate Communities
A water supply scheme that provides water to over 1700 people in Bogawana Estate, Bogowanthalawa was declared open by Her Excellency Robyn Mudie, the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and handed over to the community. The Project funded by the Government of Australia was implemented through World Vision Rural Integrated Water supply, Sanitation & Hygiene (RIWASH) project.
Access to water was one of the biggest issues for the Bogawana Estate community. Many living on the estate faced the daily task of travelling over a kilometer everyday to fetch water and yet, the quality was not guaranteed. Children arrived late at school while estate workers reported late to work due to the time spent gathering water. Water became a divider between the various communities and created conflict in the area, especially during the dry season.
“Improving public health is one of the main goals of the Australian government. Since 2010 the Government of Australia has been working with World Vision Lanka to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation in the central province through a 6 million dollar project. Through the safe drinking water we hope to reduce the cases of water borne disease in the community and help ease the burden in the household work and, empower women. The Government of Australia is indeed proud to be part of this project particularly because of the linkages the community has built,” said Mudie addressing the gathering at the inauguration.
In addition to sustainable water and sanitation services, one of the greatest impacts of RIWASH is the connection of isolated communities with those responsible for providing services. The common need for water was used as a connector to engage the community, plantation management, and government officials at the provincial, district and local levels to successfully implement projects. World Vision has trained a WASH committee consisting of the community members who will participate in the decision making process for its sustainability and who will be responsible for the maintenance.
Speaking at the ceremony, World Vision Lanka National Director Suresh Bartlett said, “The most encouraging part of this Rs 22 million water project has been the mitigation of underlying conflict and ensuring a better future for the women and children of Bogawana. Water was only a means to an end and not an end in itself and we are truly privileged to partner with you to ensure the wellbeing of your children. World Vision will continue to work with your communities to ensure the sustainability of the projects.
We thank all arms of government and Bogawanthalawa Plantations for their support in making the project a success. Special thanks to the people and government of Australia for their generous contribution to ensure the wellbeing of the most vulnerable children and communities in Sri Lanka.”
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RIWASH Project, carries out its interventions in the Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa and Walapane Divisions of the Nuwara Eliya District partnering with the Central Provincial Council, Pradeshiya Sabhas and the Plantation Management of the respective areas. Over the past four years RIWASH has completed 17 community projects, 15 school projects and provided assistance to local government authorities to improve access to water and sanitation facilities for more than 20,000 people in this region.