Clean Water and Healthy Habits: WASH Training Strengthens Oro Province's Coastal Communities

In the remote coastal village of Sanananda, Oro Province, more than 35 local leaders have completed Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) training, gaining the skills needed to help combat sickness and promote everyday healthy practices.

The training was delivered by SAGO Network in partnership with the KTF as part of KTF’s Healthy Communities project, supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

Tackling the Challenges of Coastal Living

Life by the ocean has many advantages, but it also brings unique WASH challenges. King tide floods regularly contaminate gardens and water supplies, creating conditions ripe for waterborne diseases. Access to safe drinking water and reliable sanitation remains an ongoing concern.

The WASH program equipped community leaders with practical knowledge to meet these challenges head-on.

Building Knowledge, Changing Habits

Participants explored a wide range of topics, including:

• General hygiene principles to reduce the spread of disease

• The Sanitation Ladder, which highlights best-to-worst hygiene practices

• Strategies for maintaining safe drinking water supplies

• Guidance on helping children stay healthy

• Practical instruction on using water filters effectively

This training did not stop with the leaders themselves. Wider community information sessions were held, ensuring the lessons reached families throughout the area and encouraging collective action.

Stronger Communities, Healthier Futures

The WASH initiative forms a cornerstone of KTF’s broader Healthy Communities project, which aims to improve primary health outcomes across Papua New Guinea’s most remote regions. By investing in local leadership and practical skills, the project empowers communities to take ownership of their health and build resilience against the pressures of climate and environment.

This WASH training was delivered through KTF’s Healthy Communities project in partnership with SAGO Network and proudly supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).