Last week our team visited the village of Soatana, a small village up the Makai river from our Beroroha base, as part of our ongoing support commitment. We had worked with them in 2025 to construct a new well, bore hole and solar-powered pump and infrastructure to provide clean water for the first time. We also helped them to establish a “Community Association” to maintain and manage the well and ensure a sustainable supply for all the village.
We met the local Health Agent, who reported that black market sales of Metronidazole (known as Flagyl to most people) have dropped right down since the well has been in operation. This is a drug used to treat bacterial and parasitic infections most often caused by dirty water.In many areas the black market is the only channel to access drugs for treatment, where agencies like HoverAid are not active.
This is clear evidence that a reliable source of clean water, together with guidance on consumption, cleaning, washing, and sanitation, makes a profound difference to community health and quickly reduces occurrence of these very common diseases.
