[Published on Saturday, 18 April 2026]
BY JUNELYN KELLYN
Solomon Water and Plan International Solomon Islands, (PISI) officially handed over Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to three schools in Honiara this week.
A press statement from Solomon Water on Thursday, 16 April said the completion of these WASH facilities marks an important milestone in improving WASH services for students and school communities in Honiara and the successful implementation of infrastructures works components under Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSP)-WASH in Schools Project.
The recipient schools are Global Harvest Christian Academy, Mt Horeb School and Emmaus School.
The statement said the schools took ownership of their WASH facilities on Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 April, 2026 respectively.
The handover ceremonies were officiated by WASH in School Project Manager Mr. Henson Makoani, ADB Country Director Mr. Anthony Gill, Honiara City Education Providers Inspector Mr. Elvis Kikolo, World Bank Representatives and Solomon Water National WASH officer, Ms. Georgina Hou.
Solomon Water said infrastructure works included the construction of new ablution blocks, renovation of existing facilities and extension of existing ablution blocks.
“At Global Harvest Christian Academy, the infrastructure components include renovation works on existing WASH facilities, demolition of damaged structures, structural and plumbing repairs, installation of new toilet units, water supply improvements, roofing and ceiling works, and finishing works such as tiling and painting. The upgrades were undertaken to restore sanitation services, improve access to water and handwashing,” said Solomon Water.
Meanwhile, at Mt Horeb School the infrastructure components included extension and renovation of existing ablution blocks, providing improved sanitation facilities for approximately 400 students while infrastructure work components at Emmaus Christian School included newly constructed ablution facilities for boys with additional shower facility for girls.
Alice Hiro, Emmaus School Principal of the Primary Section and Chairperson of the school’s WASH Committee acknowledged the partnership between the Solomon Islands government, ADB, World Bank, Solomon Water and key stakeholders for recognising the need to improve WASH in schools.
In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of maintaining the new facilities and assures that they will utilise the WASH facilities to good use.
“We will work with our children and encourage them to look after the facilities for the benefit of many more students to come,” she said.
Solomon Water said the UWSSSP WASH in Schools component is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in collaboration with the Government of Solomon Islands, Ministry of Education, Plan International Solomon Islands, Live & Learn, Honiara City Council, and Solomon Water.
The statement said Solomon Water remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve water and sanitation services and contribute to the wellbeing of communities and future generations.
Also noted is that two schools that have already received WASH facilities are St Mary Tanagai School and Naha Community High School.
“The WASH in Schools components covers 11 schools in Honiara: St Mary Tanagai, Norman Palmer, White River, Global Harvest, Zion, Mt Horeb, Emmaus, Sharma, Illia, Lau Valley and Naha Community High School,” Solomon Water said.
Photo credit: SIWA
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