Honiara, Solomon Islands (April 16), 2026 — Solomon Water in partnership with Plan International Solomon Islands (PISI) officially handed over multiple Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to three schools in Honiara this week.
The completion of these WASH facilities marks an important milestone to improving WASH services for students and school communities in Honiara and successful implementation of infrastructures works components under Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (UWSSP)-WASH in Schools Project.
The school recipients benefited from this project are Global Harvest Christian Academy, Mt Horeb School and Emmaus School. These school took ownership of their WASH facilities on Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16th April, 2026 respectively.
Officiating at the handover ceremonies are 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 Ms. Georgina Hou, Solomon Water National WASH officer.
The infrastructures work components includes, construction of new ablution blocks, renovation of existing WASH facilities and extension of existing ablution blocks.
At Global Harvest Christian Academy the infrastructure components includes 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.
At Mt Horeb School the infrastructure components include extension and renovation of existing ablution blocks, providing improved sanitation facilities for approximately 400 students while infrastructure work components at Emmaus Christian School include newly constructed ablution facilities for boys with additional shower facility for girls.
Speaking during a handover ceremony at Emmaus School, Alice Hiro, Principal of the Primary Section and Chairperson of the school’s WASH Committee acknowledges the partnership between the Solomon Islands government, ADB, World Bank, Solomon Water and key stakeholders for recognizing the need to improve WASH in schools.
While acknowledging the partners she emphasized the importance of maintaining the new facilities and assures they will utilize 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.”
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 and Human Resources Development, Plan International Solomon Islands, Live & Learn, Honiara City Council, and Solomon Water.
Solomon Water remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve water and sanitation services and contribute to the wellbeing of communities and future generations.
Meanwhile, two schools that have already handed under the WASH in school project 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.
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