Mere is a health worker in Malevu Village, Fiji. Like many front-line workers Mere has been protecting her community in their fight against COVID-19. This pandemic can be a traumatic experience particularly for people living in rural and remote locations where access to affordable and quality healthcare is limited.

Mere was part of a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene training that was conducted by Habitat Fiji in Malevu Village. In this training Mere and other participants learned proper hand washing practices. These can help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. “I immediately taught my family” shared Mere.

Mere has gone on to share these proper hand washing practices with children and adults in the community through awareness sessions. Including, village meetings, women’s group gatherings and even during Sunday School lessons. Mere has noticed a huge change in hand washing practices from children and adults since completing her training. Therefore, community-based WaSH projects being carried out by organisations like Habitat Fiji are critical in trying to win the fight against COVID-19.

Habitat Fiji, through funding from the Water for Women Fund, is working with change agents. Including, community health workers, in 18 communities and 11 schools within the Ba and Ra provinces in Fiji. Therefore, to promote resilience and inclusion through improved WaSH services.