The Australian High Commission is pleased to announce its support for the Numbu and Pitukoli community projects under the Direct Aid Program.
The Numbu water supply project has provided clean drinking water to a community of 600 people. The Pitukoli school furniture project has provided school furniture to 200 students of Pitukoli Primary School.At a visit to the projects last week, Second Secretary, Ms Hannah Churton, and Third Secretary, Ms Amanda Davis, were impressed by the work of the communities in implementing the projects.
On visiting the Numbu water supply, Ms Davis said "We were impressed to see how the community brought the water pipe down from a very steep hill, along several kilometres of road and across a river". Before the project, women in the village had to walk long distances to access clean water.
On visiting the Pitukoli school, Ms Churton and Ms Davis saw first-hand the dedication of the teachers working with limited resources and large classes. The furniture means students will no longer have to sit on the floor.
The High Commission paid tribute to the vision and initiative of John Elton Gideon in assisting the Numbu and Piukoli communities to achieve their goals.
The projects were funded under the Direct Aid Program, a small grants program designed to help community groups improve their living standards. DAP will provide SBD 600 000 for 30 community projects across Solomon Islands this year.
"Australia's Direct Aid Program aims to help communities improve their living standards. Our support to the Numbu and Pitukoli communities is consistent with this objective", said Ms Churton.
The High Commission welcomes DAP applications from communities that need a helping hand to achieve their goals.
Press Release (Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands)