Students at Olwie Seventh-day Adventist Early Childhood Care and Education Centre and Primary School once again have access to clean drinking water, following the official handover of a new 10,000-litre water tank on Tuesday, 29 April.

The installation is part of the Ministry of Education and Training’s (MoET) ongoing effort to restore essential Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) services in schools affected by the devastating 17 December 2024 earthquake. The disaster had severely impacted Port Vila and surrounding areas, disrupting basic services in many education facilities.

Nearly 240 students at Olwie SDA School will now benefit from safe drinking water daily—supporting their health, school attendance, and overall learning in a safe and dignified environment.

The project was delivered in partnership with the Department of Water and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), with technical and financial support from UNICEF and the Salvation Army. The installation includes a 10,000-litre tank, tap, first flush system, soakaway, tank tie-downs, and supporting piping. The school also received WaSH in Schools kits for immediate use.

UNICEF Pacific’s Vanuatu Chief of Field Office, Eric Durpaire, stressed the importance of access to WaSH in schools, especially after emergencies.
“UNICEF is proud to support the Government of Vanuatu in ensuring that children have access to safe water and sanitation in schools,” he said. “Following the earthquake, it was vital to act quickly with partners to restore these services. WaSH in schools protects children’s health, dignity, and their right to learn.”

MoET WaSH Officer André Edward reminded the school and surrounding community to protect the new facility.
“This water tank is a shared asset,” he said. “We urge students, teachers, and families to take care of it. When water is available, children can come to school focused on learning, not on where to find a drink.”

School Principal Leah Sumetat expressed appreciation on behalf of the staff and students.
“After the earthquake, we really struggled without clean water. This new water tank means so much to us,” she said. “Now, our children feel safe and cared for every day. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who made this possible.”

MoET also acknowledged the support of the Department of Water, UNICEF, ADRA, World Vision, and the Vanuatu Red Cross in restoring WaSH facilities in over 20 schools across Efate and Moso.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the National Sustainable Development Plan (2016–2030) and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring all children in Vanuatu have equal access to safe, quality education.