2008 Auxiliary Project

The ABM National Auxiliary Special Project for 2008:

"Clean Water: Like Drops of Gold and Silver"

Clean Water for Vanuatu

In 2008, ABM’s National Auxiliary will support the Church of Melanesia as it works to bring changes to the lives of many people by developing clean water options for communities throughout Vanuatu.

Over the last few years most Australians have felt the impact of drought and the problems brought on by reduced water supplies and climate change. For many people in rural Australia the experience has been severe, affecting everything from livestock, to agriculture, family farms, and small and large businesses. In the cities, water restrictions and rising costs have made people also more aware of this very precious resource.

And yet whilst we come to terms with these issues in our country, many millions of people in developing countries throughout the world deal with issues related to water every single day and have done so all their lives. For many it might not be so much the reduction of water supply as it is in Australia, but more the inability to access clean healthy water, and good sanitation. Without these very important basic factors, many people suffer from waterborne related illnesses caused by contaminated water, children miss out on school because they must help collect water from whatever source is available, women similarly are restricted in what they can do as they too often need to collect water each day, and opportunities for farming or the development of small business is restricted by the lack
of access to continuous water supplies.

This is the story in Vanuatu, where the lack of potable, clean water seriously affects many communities.

Download a brochure

More information about the Auxiliary can be found here.