Ha'alaufuli Water Project

Ha'alaufuli, Vava'u is a village of over 600 people who have suffered due to lack of clean water. This is a project started by Chris and Becky Waddoups before we arrived. We finally were able to get it finished. Multiple reasons why it took so long ... Projects in the outer islands just take longer, evaluation is harder as it is a plane ride away, supplies have to be shipped, trained people have to be flown in, etc., and the village changed their minds what they wanted done (solar versus electric, etc), the borehole digger broke down and awaiting parts from New Zealand. Finally, a decision was made and the project was completed just before Christmas.

Elder Greding, SLC Headquarter water specialist, visited Vava'u in 2015. He assessed 8-10 villages that had requested assistance in replacing or improving their water systems.  The quotes for assisting all of these villages was over $150,000 US. Since we cannot fulfill all of their requests, we asked the Noble of Vava'u, town officers, and stake presidents which village was in the greatest need of assistance.  The conclusion was that the village of Ha'alaufuli was most deserving.  Their only source of water was a borrowed diesel engine that barely runs and an inferior Japan Aid solar pump that has not run for over a year.  They were in dire need of a water system to provide for the 600 plus residents of this village. 

This project provided replacement of the failed system with installation of a 1200w solar water production unit including twin poles, solar arrays, submersible pump, cable and control box.

Testing to make sure there was good pressure

The solar water system was installed on a rainy and cloudy day in the middle of December and still functioned properly. On testing over the next few days of cloudy days, the system continued to work perfectly. 

The Haalaufuli water committee and some people from the community helped Palu Development and his team in the installation process and the project. 

The Haalaufuli water committee and some people from the community helped Palu Development and his team in the installation process and the project. 

Pictured at handover on 27 Dec 2018 from left to right are Silongo Samani (Country Welfare Manager), Sefita Fa (Ha'alaufuli Town Officer), Afu Ha'alaufuli (Nobel), Mapa Hafoka (District Officer), Rev Sione Kakal (Church of Tonga), North Stake President Kapiloni Savou). 

Thank you note from Stake President:

Thank you so much. The community is much appreciated of the donation as they now experience whole day water availability for their individual homes. Those who only received water at a particular time of the day now receive water all day long. We are now experiencing rainy seasons, water supply is still not affected due to the solar water pump received. Thank you once again.               President Kapilon L. Savou

And the Spirit and the bride say, ^"COME; And let him that heareth say, Come; And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.                                                                            Revelations 22:17