Pure drinking water – a gift for communities of Elgin

The Elgin community water supply scheme of the Rural Integrated Water supply, Sanitation & Hygiene (RIWASH-2) project funded by AusAid was recently declared open by Hon. Robyn Mudie – Her Excellency the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka.

“Improving public health is one of the ten development goals of AusAid. We recognise the importance of water for the estate community, especially to the women and hope this project will make their lives a little easier. I am also delighted to see so many children gathered here today as the children are the most beneficial of this project,” said the High Commissioner.

“World Vision is all about the children of Sri Lanka and it is a privilege to work with the people of this community. The CEO of Watawala Plantations and its management have been extremely supportive and they have been equal partners in this project. Thank you to Aus Aid and the people of Australia who have generously given towards this cause to enrich the lives of the people of Elgin estate,” said Suresh Bartlett, World Vision Lanka’s National Director in gratitude to all those who were involved in the success of the project.

The certificate signifying the handing over of the project to the community was presented by Hon. Robyn Mudie to Dr. Dan Seevaratnam – CEO of the Watawala Plantations and the latter in a very spontaneous and heart- warming gesture brought along with him some children from the community to accept certificate – acknowledging that children truly are the deserving beneficiaries.

“I was always reluctant to work with any NGO because all of them want high visibility and look for projects by the roadside with easy access – I wanted people willing to work in the backwoods of our estates with isolated poor communities. I came to realise that World Vision is one such organisation. They engage in programmes from grass root level and apply a bottom up approach. Indeed World Vision has been a partner in progress in the success of Watawala Plantation Company,” said Dr. Seevaratnam.