From the Papua New Guinea Newsoom and the Pacific Newsroom
Papa New Guinea
The remote village of Riwaldi in the Rigo District of southern Papua New Guinea sits near the top of a mountain and has struggled for decades to find a source for clean, reliable drinking water.
When rainfall comes, it quickly runs down the mountain, leaving the community without a stable source of clean water.
But thanks to funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a centrally-located water well now provides stable, healthy water. Community toilets were also built as part of the project.
At a ceremony on 2 May 2025, community members gathered to celebrate the completion of three projects: the Church-provided community well and restrooms, and, separately, a new school building provided by local government funding.
Students performed traditional dances in celebration, and local leaders spoke of the immediate impact both projects would have on the community.
Riwaldi water project supervisor Ilagi Kema said, “There is a problem in our community because we live in the high hills, and sometimes we find it difficult to find water."
He said that water is the most serious issue in their community.
“Where there is water, there is life. So, this is a way forward, and it is a blessing for our community for you to give this service to us.”
In communities like Riwaldi and throughout Papua New Guinea the Church of Jesus Christ works to provide humanitarian resources to meet basic needs and improve health and educational opportunities for all.
For those who receive assistance, something as simple as a faucet, clean, safe and reliable water can be a blessing of profound comfort and confidence as families and friends happily support and lift each other.
In villages across the South Pacific, from Vanuatu to Samoa, similar scenes of gratitude and joy are unfolding as clean water changes lives.
Vanuatu
Recently the Central Tanna Area council in Vanuatu expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Church of Jesus Christ for providing funding and support of water project to the communities of Naluken, Iwel, Lpangnuing, Kohokawite, Ikiin and Loukamal.
In partnership with Vanuatu Agriculture Supply initiative, these projects provided clean water, significantly enhancing the quality of life in those communities.
These projects not only meet the immediate water needs but also contribute to the overall development and well-being of the communities. Notably, the projects also support the Naluken Junior Secondary School, which has the highest student registration, exceeding 300 students.
By improving access to clean water, these efforts promote better health and sanitation, fostering a healthier and more sustainable learning environment.
Children-playing-in-water-from-Vanuatu
Children enjoying the newly completed clean water project in Vanuatu, April 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Central Tanna Area Council said, “Through these collective efforts, the Central Tanna community is experiencing positive change, and we express our deepest appreciation for the invaluable support provided by [the Church of Jesus Christ] and the Vanuatu Agriculture Supply initiative. Together, we are creating lasting improvements in health, sanitation and livelihoods.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helps build water systems and teach community hygiene and system maintenance, empowering them to meet their long-term water needs.
Samoa
“Water for life” reads a large sign fastened to the side of Sataua Primary School on the Samoan island of Savai’i.
Those are words many Pacific Islanders understand all too well as they’re often faced with the reality of little to no fresh water for drinking, cooking or bathing.
They are also words Elder Brian and Sister Lori Bott understand all too well.
As a senior missionary couple serving in Samoa for the Church of Jesus Christ, they frequently encounter families, school, and entire villages that struggle to find and have enough clean water.
With the Botts’ help, that all recently changed for a school and several villages on Savai’i.
It was there that the Vaisigano Second District, the Samoan Ministry of Health and the Church of Jesus Christ came together to provide two 10,000-litre water tanks for Sataua Primary School, and an additional 206 2,000-litre water tanks for homes in the surrounding villages of Fagasa, Sataua and Papa Sataua.
That means approximately 900 villagers and 1,000 students now have a reliable source of clean water.
“For a school, the ability to capture and store this water is the difference between staying open and closing down,” said Elder Bott.
“Water is part of it, but anything to do with the health or education of the Samoan people, and to let them know of God’s love for them – that’s what we’re about,” said Sister Bott.
As humanitarian missionaries, that’s their objective every day and especially each time they take the one-hour ferry ride from the island of Upolu to Savai’i.
Sometimes that love means classroom desks so students can sit and have a surface to write on, or shelves to make library books more accessible. Other times it means having floor tiles installed to make school rooms more sanitary and easier to clean.
This time it was the Botts joining with school and village leaders to cut a violet ribbon wrapped around 20,000 litres of water.
“We know how important it is to have clean water, and we feel so blessed to be just a small, small, little part of the Church’s efforts to bring water – to bring blessings to the people of Samoa,” said Elder Bott.