A recent 10-day internship at Saru MGM Primary School has sparked vital conversations about water safety and sanitation, led by Maho Yoshida, a visiting student from Japan. Participating in a self-funded initiative with Social Innovation Fiji (SIF), Ms. Yoshida concentrated on addressing Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Driven by a passion for tackling global social issues collaboratively, Ms. Yoshida identified access to clean water as the key focus of her project in Fiji. Within an impressive four-day timeframe, she transformed her concept into actionable plans through effective consultations with essential government agencies.
“I went to the Ministry of Education and got approval, then proceeded to the Water Authority of Fiji to determine the best primary school for a lesson on accessing clean water,” she explained. When initially hesitant about reaching out to these agencies, she praised the local support that made her project execution possible.
“I was so nervous, but they were so kind and accepted my project quickly,” she reflected on the warmth and cooperation she received.
Her initiative used a blend of visual presentations and engaging activities to captivate the students. “I taught them how to collect clean water from rainwater, incorporating a dance to make the presentation more enjoyable for the children,” she noted.
The project received enthusiastic endorsement from the head of Saru MGM Primary School, who underscored the significance of educating children on the correct procedures for consuming rainwater. “Rainwater is difficult to drink directly; we must filter it and boil it first, which children may not be aware of,” he remarked.
Looking towards the future, Ms. Yoshida hopes to expand the impact of her project by partnering with Japanese companies. “I want to cooperate with them and contribute more to Fiji from Japan,” she declared, reflecting her dedication to fostering positive change in the region.
As her current project concludes, Ms. Yoshida considers this experience merely the beginning of her journey in addressing critical global challenges within the realms of water safety and sanitation. Her work represents a positive stride toward educating communities and promoting sustainable practices, highlighting the power of local action in driving worldwide change.