Villagers learn about sanitation

IMPROVING hygiene and sanitation and having electricity is a need for most rural communities throughout Papua New Guinea.
Seeing this as a need, two community members from Wakorma village in Bogia district, Madang received a three-day training on sanitation and solar light installation. 
The training was conducted last week by ATprojects, a non-governmental organisation based in Goroka, aimed at delivering services to rural communities.
Mathew Muiyager and Max Maliowa said this was the
first time they received such training, and viewed it as invaluable to improve the lives of the 20 households in
their village of about 200 people.
AT Round Loo project officer Silas Simbas, who is responsible for construction and distribution of the cement slabs explained that having good toilets were the first steps towards promoting healthy living.
The two learnt why it is important to improve sanitation practices in a household, and community, and had hands-on training to build the ATprojects  promoted AT Round Loo cement slabs designed for pit toilets in rural communities.
They also learned how to install solar lights, which is a cost effective and environmentally safe alternative to using candles or kerosene lamps in rural households.
It is also an alternative for rural communities who cannot receive electricity.
ATprojects Electrical officer Bob Aisio taught them how to use the 5-watts solar packs, to install solar lights which ended their training.
The training was at the ATprojects centre at Nagamiza village, a 30-minute drive out of Goroka town.
 Muiyager thanked ATprojects for the invaluable skills training, and also thanked sponsor Goroka-based National Court judge, Justice Martin Ipang who is from the area.