News Story

New Water Pump System Benefits Two Tongan Villages

Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, partnered recently with the Tongan villages of Matafonua and Fatai to provide clean water solutions for residents

On Friday 12 March, the village of Fatai hosted a closing ceremony to mark the completion of the installation of new electric water pumps to their water system. The project was received with excitement as the new water system will benefit hundreds of people, including families and school children. 

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 Cases of typhoid have hit these villages in the past, in part from a shortage of clean water. With the new water pump system, citizens are less worried about a resurgence of typhoid.  

Latter-day Saint Charities partnered with Matafonua and Fatai villages to contribute 60% of the cost of the water pumps and installation. The national water authority (Tonga Water Board), which empowers the village water committees through financial support towards water projects, contributed an additional 20%. The remaining costs, a 20,000-liter water tank, and a water tower, were provided by the Fatai water committee.  

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Representatives from the villages requested two electric, submersible water pumps to replace the broken mono pump. These pumps will keep water running for 24 hours a day and promote better health for the people.  

 The new water system supports the Government primary school, as well as the pre-school for the western side of Tongatapu. 

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