The Community of the Sisters of Melanesia (CSM) at Verana’a so in North West Guadalcanal are now enjoying a reliable water supply after many years of challenges.
This important development was made possible through funding support from the Anglican Relief Development and Funding Agency (ARDFA) in Australia.
On Saturday 7 February, a team led by Mr. Casper Supa, Social and Development Programs Coordinator, visited the community to complete the installation. The team included members of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) Disaster Committee, borehole technicians, and electricians.
Mr. Supa explained that the borehole itself is not new. It was drilled and installed more than ten years ago but later stopped working. With the installation of new solar panels and a water pump, the borehole is now functioning again and providing clean water to the community.
The new water supply brings great relief to the sisters, who have long depended on the nearby river and rainwater tanks for cooking, washing, drinking, and other daily needs.
Speaking in an earlier interview late last year, Head Sister Sr. Everil Manakako described the difficulties the community faced.
“When the river becomes dirty during heavy rain and flooding, and our tanks run out of water, we usually walk more than two kilometres or use our truck to fetch water,” she said.
She added that during festival times, when visitors come, the sisters often wake up as early as 4:00am to carry water from the river to the guest shower rooms.
Sr. Manakako expressed gratitude for the support received.
“We are very grateful because one of our burdens has now been addressed,” she said. “I hope this borehole continues to operate properly so that we do not go back to carrying water from the river.”
She added that with a proper water supply now available, the community’s daily programs can run more smoothly. In the past, activities sometimes had to end early so the sisters could travel to nearby communities to collect water.
The Community of the Sisters of Melanesia is a religious community within the Anglic
an Church of Melanesia. Its members are women who commit their lives to Christian service through prayer, community living, and ministry. The siste
rs serve the church and the wider community through education, hospitality, spiritual guidance, and outreach work, while living a simple and disciplined life together.