Students at Arya Kanya Pathshala School in Ba practice handwashing techniques learned through the SPC-EU MPP Project.
A 15-minute documentary highlighting the work of the European Union (EU) funded Micro Projects Programme (MPP) was digitally launched today. The documentary, titled “Lighting Up Communities” was launched virtually on the Pacific Community (SPC) YouTube channel and via its online platforms. The MPP programme is being implemented by SPC.
“Lighting Up Communities” shares stories from people and communities in Fiji’s sugarcane belt on the impacts of the work of the MPP project in bringing solar power to their communities, as well as upgrading school ablution blocks in target schools and introducing safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices to teachers and students.
Produced by X’isle Productions, the documentary can be viewed on the SPC YouTube channel:
“It is heartening to see the concrete positive effects and to hear about them directly from some of the beneficiaries. The project has empowered the sugarcane belt communities by providing clean and environmentally friendly energy, income generation training and awareness of proper WASH practices. These interventions will go a long way in improving their livelihoods, health and wellbeing even after the conclusion of the project,” said Christoph Wagner, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific.
SPC Director General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga highlighted the value of the MPP documentary in building awareness of the importance of proper WASH practices in schools as well as the benefits of solar power to communities.
“Lighting Up Communities shines a spotlight on the real difference that solar power can make to communities, particularly in improving students’ performance in school through being able to study better in the evenings. The documentary also illustrates how proper WASH practices have led to a reduction in diseases in schools and the positive impact that this has had on students and their families in Fiji’s sugarcane farming communities,” he said.
The MPP is a five-year project which started in October 2013 and which will run until the end of June 2018. The Pacific Community is delivering a number of projects that are funded by the European Union’s Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol (AMSP) Programme across Fiji’s sugarcane belt. MPP is one of these projects, covering Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), rural electrification and hydrological surveys.
Debbie Singh, SPC Sugar Projects Communications Specialist │ Email: [email protected]
“Lighting Up Communities” video on YouTube