​

Since 2005, Partner Housing Australasia directors and volunteers (building industry professionals at the peak of their professional careers) have helped our South Pacific neighbours, giving freely of their time, money and skills. During these two decades, this wholly volunteer organisation has contributed to the funding, design and construction of the following in remote villages:

​

• three village community health buildings

• several school buildings

• village housing

• government housing

• over a dozen village water reticulation schemes

• approximately 300 village latrines

• cyclone anchorages for village housing

• numerous cyclone-proof shelters

 

All construction is at the request of village communities, government organisations, health authorities or other larger NGOs.

​

 

Case Study: Solomon Islands Water Project

 

In many parts of Solomon Islands, village residents must obtain fresh water by collecting it from creeks in plastic bottles. On the island of Ranongga in the Solomon Islands Western Province, this method of water collection often falls to children.

 

In partnership with the local village residents, Partner Housing has been constructing latrines and fresh water reticulation systems for over 10 years. Over 100 latrines have been constructed in the villages of Buri, Keigold and Obobulu; and water reticulation with multiple water standpipes have been constructed in the villages of Buri, Keigold, Obobulu, Koriovuku, Pange, Lale and Kolomali.

​

Based on this track record, and in consultation with the island residents, Partner Housing has commenced the next stage - to effect some outstanding repairs to the existing infrastructure, to expand construction to the neighbouring island of Vella Lavella, and to establish a permanent Training Centre / Workshop in Buri from which local supervisors can establish a viable training and supply business. The business will combine the supply and assembly of plumbing components and standpipes with training for local villagers, concentrating on how to source, assemble, install and maintain these components.

​

With the support of the Australian Aid: Friendship Grant, Partner Housing has developed a program to fulfil these needs. The first stage (replacing three tanks and plumbing at Buri and repairs at Obobulu and Lale) is now complete. This will improve the access to clean water of up to 1,200 people.

 

Our team is currently pressing forward with the program, purchasing materials for the villages of Kongu and Sambora.

​

For more information on the Friendship Grants program, please visit www.dfat.gov.au

​

December 2019 Solomon Islands Water Project Update:

​

Partner Housing is proud to announce the completion of water reticulation schemes on the remote islands of Ranongga and Vella Lavella in Solomon Islands Western Province, undertaken during 2019.

 

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) contributed AUD $60,000 to these projects. When asked how “the activity implemented over the last year will have the most impact on your life or community”,  Mr. Eric Golopitu (Senior Secondary Science Teacher, Buri Village, Ranongga Island) commented that the improvements to the water reticulation:

“[Is] raising of standard of level and quality of life.

Encourages healthy life style.

Provides easy access to safe and clean water for household usage.

Saves time, energy and money on water availability.

Relieves women especially; from burdens relating to water accessibility on daily basis.

Encourages water sealed toilet facility preferences in the community.

Creates a happier environment.”

​