The project will work towards addressing the cultural issues surrounding the movement towards better public health practices on Tarawa. And the best place to start it is with Primary School children. Achieving better sanitation practices is a potentially culturally sensitive matter as many I-Kiribati perhaps believe that they can continue practicing their traditional lifestyles in the fast emerging urban areas on Tarawa.
The project will set clear distinctions regarding direct benefits from the services offered by the water and sanitation system, and other benefits that prevent negative values in the community about the fairness of the project.
By ensuring proper feasibility study and site assessments are carried out, and engineering advice is sought prior to works commencing, the challenges of implementing sanitation systems on mostly flat land with a very high water table can be addressed.
Co-ordination between the range of agencies and community groups involved in the project will be a challenge, hence the need for a focal person to co-ordinate the project.
There are many avenues for strategic partnerships to be built through this project. They include organizations mentioned above including construction supply companies, Councils, Church groups, Environmental Youth Groups, Ministry of Education and particularly PWD, PUB, LMD, ECD etc.
The Water and Sanitation project will have the following positive changes:
? Promote the adoption of renewable energy by replacing fuel generated electricity with solar energy
? Demonstrate the removal of local barriers to energy conservation and energy efficiency
? A good example of Integrated Water Resource Management Project
? Addresses issue of coastal area management and biodiversity, protection of ground freshwater supplies, and land and marine-based sources of pollution as relate to a water resource
? Promotes public health and social cohesion in the community