The Women’s Committee at Siumu on Upolu, Samoa are serious about conserving their environment and surrounding.
It is for this reason that they have completed the first of its two-phase USD10,000 project funded by UNDP GEF-Small Grants Programme, which is in line with the United Nations SDG14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
The project supports concerted environmental efforts by the village to preserve its spring pools, which have served many generations in Siumu. The pools also provide Siumu residents with water for drinking, washing and bathing.
The pools suffered damages in recent past years as a result of natural disasters, including the 2009 Tsunami and tropical cyclones. Understanding the critical importance of these spring pools to its future generations, the women’s committee of Siumu sought assistance to ensure the protection and sustainability of these resources.
The Committee expressed its sincere thanks and gratitude when speaking with the representatives from UNDP GEF-SGP that visited the project [Friday 17th November 2017].
Acknowledging the assistance from UNDP GEF-SGP, Committee President Ms. Eseta Faailo noted that completion of the first phase of the project was a community effort and a further step towards preserving the environment for its future generations.
“Even though on paper it is the women’s committee project, there was immense help and work put in by the members of our village - ranging from our chiefs to the men, women and children. As a community, we are investing in the continued sustainability of clean, fresh water – which is important for long term health - as well as improved access by our community to these resources”, said Ms Faailo.
Welcoming this development in the project, UN Resident Coordinator Lizbeth Cullity said, “I would like to congratulate the Siumu Women’s Committee for their commitment and hard work. I applaud the efforts by the Committee to have this project started, and this milestone reached today, which was also made possible by the community’s efforts to work together to further protect their environment for future generations”.
The project will now move on to its second phase of implementation.
Photo by UNDP Samoa Gerard Anapu