Kerry McMillan prepared the following report on the Port Callia (Votlo) Water Catchment Structure Project the Waitakere International Commitee has been involved with in the Vanuatu District (9910) since 2015. It is a joint project between Waitakere and the Dunedin North Rotary Clubs, and Peter Williams from the Taieri Club assisted in the building of the structure during a visit in June 2016. The Dunedin North and Taieri clubs have approved funding to support the training of a village member to continue her health training. The Taieri club has embarked on a wood cutting project to raise funds for a site visit to enable some of the work Kerri mentions in his report to be completed.
On the 25th May 2016 a group of Rotarians and one volunteer, all from Dunedin set off from New Zealand to Port Vila to endeavour to complete the water catchment structure on the Island of Epi at Port Callia, Votlo. As the main organiser of the project I attended as the Waitakere representative and acted as job supervisor.
We had one day in Port Vila to purchase extra materials needed including plumbing parts and local communications equipment. Because we had an unusually large group ( 8 people) some provisions such as flour, milk and cereals were bought. We had booked at the Budget Travellers Motel which was ideal, low cost and walking distance to the main centre.
On Friday the 27th May we arrived at the airport early to try and get our first group of 7 and considerable extra luggage on the scheduled flight. Despite prearranging our requirements we had so much excess baggage that one member had to volunteer to remain behind along with 3 bags of extra items. He followed on the next available flight which was the following Monday and teamed up with our final member who flew in on the Saturday. The overweight items were all important goods such as medical equipment, plumbing gear, tools and 5 laptop computers and a keyboard for use in the finished building. After some negotiations the extra freight charges were modest.
Our first group of 6 were met at Valesdir Airstrip by two senior villagers with a 4wd truck which took us to the village where we were welcomed. Adequate accommodation was provided in the form of a large thatched hut with a covered outside dining area. The ladies had separate accommodation with a family nearby.
On arrival we immediately gathered the men of the village together and started on the construction. By nightfall we had cut and nailed up the first of the wall frames.
The next day (Sat) Janet, our nurse from Dunedin had set up her “medical centre” and started treating a variety of complaints. The rest of us were concentrating on getting the framework constructed, plywood sheets pre-painted, post holes dug etc. Excellent progress was made and it was a long hot day. The tools we brought were all in full use and we were able to recharge cordless tools with an existing small solar panel. Around 15 to 30 villagers were working with us at all times.
Sunday was our day off. Three of our group attended the church service and afterwards we went on a long walk to the “hot pools” on the beach about 6 km away. On the walk we called at other villages within the Votlo tribal area. These were on a lower sea plain with water being drawn from shallow wells . Unfortunately there were long drop toilets situated quite close to these wells – a recipe for disaster! We urged the villagers to call and see the new composting toilets at Port Callia. We were heartened to have them visit us and ask for the plans. We even had a local policeman inquiring about them for his home use. We noted that the Medical Aid post was abandoned –apparently the nurse had gone back to the mainland for training. Foundations had been laid for a new aid post but not much progress had been made.
On Monday the truck was sent off to pick up the two remaining team members from the airstrip and while we had the truck on hire managed to truck in several loads of sand from the edge of a freshwater stream.
We purchased some clean crushed coral and set a crew on to concreting in the four veranda posts for the building. This was all hand mixed under supervision as we required. We delegated small teams to work with individual Rotarians on separate items eg Cutting to length, marking out and screwing large numbers of stainless steel fixing screws, nailing in 100s of large 100mm nails, making doors, tables, seating, painting, excavations, concreting, making thatch, finishing off toilets, plumbing in shower, preparing for water tank etc.
Tuesday and Wednesday saw the frame up, the roofing structure in place, bracing, wire netting, foil underlay and then the roof screwed on- all done with the cordless drill we supplied, by the crew –set out and supervised by one of us. By Wednesday afternoon we were fitting the brackets to hold the 3 large solar panels onto the roof , the solar controller, batteries in boxes etc all installed, and enough LED lighting for a mini night shift to complete concreting of the veranda entrance. The exterior plywood sheathing was screwed on to specification and ready for painting. Thursday being our last day saw the solar power set up, the composting toilet complete except for a thatched roof to be completed, a demonstration shower set up nearby.
While the construction was underway Nurse Janet was busy with her medical work and instructing the villagers on the recommendations of the WASH program. The school now has hand washing facilities. Insect screen and PVC pipe venting has been supplied to try and upgrade existing long-drop toilets. The senior villagers were urged to try and reduce the number of dogs and loose chickens which were evident with animal faeces in abundance.
Mean while Rotarian Karen had set up a daily sewing class which had been requested by the village women. Dunedin had supplied two new electric sewing machines and the class was very popular. The new building will be ideal for this purpose as it has reliable solar power and storage and excellent lighting.
The new water tank was installed and gutters temporarily fitted, however there were not quite enough gutter brackets delivered, no stop ends but despite this the tank was beginning to fill up with the odd shower we had. I would predict that the tank will be full before the “dry” season kicks in –already the new water supply from the spring mentioned in the early report, was starting to diminish. This new tank will compliment the piped supply, if for some reason (Earthquake or exceptionally dry season) water from the spring dries up .The new tank is to be used as a drinking supply only.
We reckon that the job is about 99% complete. Paint ordered was not delivered( wrong size containers) Gutter clips, stop ends and joiners were missing, Cement went missing but was supplied by local families, some of the joist hangers were unable to be fitted but could be done later.
Possibly one suitably qualified person could spend a weekend there to ensure painting was completed, guttering properly fitted, shower units installed and plumbed, joist hangers installed (if necessary after advice from the engineers) and that proper instruction has been given as to the maintenance of the solar power system, sewing machines, composting toilets and shower units. They may also need help with the computers we have left and check that the programs etc are acceptable.
We now plan to arrange for the delivery of the missing items via a local small boat which calls regularly. We have been asked for bolts of material for dress-making. A request has been made for a chest freezer able to be powered by the solar power system. We talked at depth with the tribal elders and believe we should endeavour to supply one. The power system is relatively large and if we match it with an appropriate freezer we could run all the items supplied and when required freeze excess meat or fish. We stressed that if no excess produce was available that the freezer could be turned off to save overloading the batteries.
Overall I believe the project has been a great success and much appreciated by the village. Health issues have been addressed, requests have been fulfilled, a basic structure able to be utilised for many purposes has been constructed on public land, tools and training has been given to the men of the village and the women have received an excellent basis for a requested sewing school, including completing 12 garments. Learning how to sew with a machine, and to maintain the machines. Two young village girls age 16 were very skilled and now have the knowledge to continue sewing independently at an exceptional standard for the short time invested. Some older women are able to help with basic sewing advice and problem solving. Many learnt lifelong skills.
Computers with suitable programmes have been supplied for otherwise under resourced young people unable to attend costly boarding schools to further their education and obtain much needed life-skills.
The Team ! David Foote, Les Wilson, Karen Taylor, Russel Brown, Janet Hewson, Rotarians from Dunedin,Peter Williams from Taiere Rotary Club, Adrian Cross a volunteer from Dunedin and Kerry McMillan from Waitakere Rotary Auckland