‘Volcanic’ loos to aid schools in PNG

SOROPTIMIST International, Berwick, will support World Environment Day by helping to provide sanitation in Papua New Guinea’s schools.
Member Kay Drysdale said members had chosen to support near neighbours Papua New Guinea this year, recognising that good sanitation is the path to good health.
Group members will make donations for the construction of “volcano” toilets, which resemble volcanoes and provide sustainable sanitation to poor communities.
The lowcost toilets dispose of waste in a way that is easy to clean, free of smell, and attractive to users.
“We’ve chosen this particular project because it’s worthwhile,” Ms Drysdale said.
She recently visited SouthEast Asia, and said supporting schools would promote clean hygiene and give pupils a better chance at life.
Most of the Berwick club’s donations and work supports local needs. However, they have partnered with Soroptimist International to support women survivors of war, and contribute towards the rebuilding of a village in Aceh, Indonesia following the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.
Soroptimist clubs in 12 countries across the southwest Pacific aim to fund 200 toilets.
The Berwick club will celebrate its 16th birthday at Pine Grove Lodge this month.
Soroptimist International is an organisation for professional women and women in business, which uses service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.