The Chinese Embassy has donated a 1000-liter water tank to a family in Vailoa in partnership with Women in Climate Change (WICC) and TankGuy Samoa.

This is the first of 20 water tanks funded by the China AID costing $30,000 which will be handed over to families, under the auspices of the WICC and targets women-led families—who are in need of reliable water supply.

Vailoa resident, Patricia Peniamina, told Samoa Observer she is humbled by the donation as this was exactly what they needed.

“Firstly, I am very grateful for the donation they’ve given my family through this water tank as this will be of great use to our family.”

“Because all my mother’s cousins on this one land, together with us use one water line, the water bill ran too high so currently our water supply has been cut because we can’t afford to pay,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the WICC, Cherelle Jackson expressed her appreciation towards the Chinese government for the donation of 20 water tanks, which have been installed in the past two months.

“The idea behind the formation of Women in Climate Change in January this year was to build the resilience of women against the impacts of climate change, and we have worked hard to ensure that women’s voices and needs are reflected in the work that we do,” she said.

“It is for women like Patricia that we are doing this work, to build the resilience of Samoan women to better take care of their families in times of disasters and in droughts.”

Chinese ambassador, Wang Xuefang expressed his best wishes and contentment in presenting the donation to the Vailoa family, as one of 20 lucky families benefiting from the project.

“I am very happy to meet this family and to see that with the help of WICC and Tank Guy, we [have] already finished the project for 20 families in Samoa and I am glad to do something on behalf of the Chinese embassy for families that need the help most,” he said.

The ambassador commended WICC on their partnership and efficiency in identifying families, who needed assistance and signing up the support of TankGuy, the manufacturers of water tanks, within two weeks.

Auga Farrell Craig, owner of Tank Guy said they have already installed 20 water tanks around Upolu from the villages of Apia to Saleimoa, Lefaga, Siumu and Falealili to Aleipata and briefed the families on how to take care of their new tanks.

“The father of the family should make sure of the clean water supply for their families but watch out for the children playing around the tank faucet, and it would be such a waste if it breaks,” he added. 

The families were selected by through ADRA Samoa surveys in partnership with climate change projects of the Government of Samoa.