Papua New Guinea: real lives

Sixty-eight per cent of children and families in rural Papua New Guinea have no access to safe water. Their only water source for drinking, bathing and cooking is rivers and small streams, which are often contaminated.

Six-year-old Kila is one of many small children who spend hours walking up to 7kms each day to collect water. "I walk for a long time to a river to get water for my family to drink and use for our farm and washing," says Kila. "I don't have time to go to school but I would like to."

ChildFund Project Officer for PNG, Rouena, says that providing safe water sources and sanitation facilities in rural villages is vital. "Children as young as five walk many kilometres each day to the nearest creek or river for water for their family. They often miss out on school because fetching water takes up the whole day. They are exposed to waterborne diseases, and diarrhoea is a big problem.

"I was also distressed to witness the inappropriate disposal of sewage waste. A lot of it is lying too close to villages. Children especially are vulnerable, because they often don't wear shoes, and if there is no toilet in the school, they go in the surrounding area. Then they tread on things, and pick up worms and other parasites."

ChildFund Australia's Water Supply and Sanitation Program is building water tanks to provide clean and safe water, which is easily accessible. Four water tanks have already been installed in Kila's village, which provide safe water to more than 20 families. This has had a huge impact already: reducing the number of children who fall ill with waterborne diseases, and giving children the chance to go to school, where previously they had spent the day collecting water.

ChildFund Australia has also helped local people form "water and sanitation committees" so they can learn how to manage and maintain the water systems, keeping them clean and operational. There is also training on how to construct and maintain toilet facilities.