Residents of Vini Fou today celebrated the restoration and rehabilitation of
their freshwater pool, Punaoleola, which was implemented under the EFKS Vini Fou’s
Conserving our Natural Spring and Waterways Project.
The project has not only increased people's awareness of the importance of conserving
fresh water resources, but has also improved the quality of the surrounding ecosystem for
future generations.
Living up to its name, which means spring of life, the Punaoleola pool has been the source
of fresh water for the Vini Fou community for many years for bathing, drinking and providing
a place to sustainably grow watercress.
However, natural disasters, human activities and pollution over the years led to the
deterioration of the pool.
“The biggest benefit for the community now, thanks to this project, is having a clean pool,
and the protection of the springs within the pool because they had been vulnerable to soil
erosion. With a proper enclosure now in place, it is much safer and cleaner for the
community to enjoy,” said Leota Victory Leavai, Project Coordinator.
The EFKS Vini Fou project, which costed about $55,000 Talā, was funded under the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility Small Grants
Programme (GEF-SGP). The project supports national efforts to conserve and protect
freshwater sources and reduce land-based pollution.
“The Punaoleola pool essentially reflects the mission of the Small Grants Programme, which
is to support communities by providing financial and technical assistance to projects that aim
to conserve and restore the environment and natural resources, while enhancing people’s
wellbeing. The UNDP GEF-SGP congratulates the Vini Fou community, particularly the
project committee, for their diligence and perseverance to see the project through to its

successful completion,” said Lepale Aussie Simanu, UNDP Assistant Resident
Representative.
Awareness-raising activities were held at the beginning of the project with the Ministry of
Natural Resources and Environment on the importance of conserving the freshwater source.
Other project activities included adopting village by-laws to enforce the protection of the
pool, conducting tree planting initiatives, reinforcing the wall of the pool to prevent soil
erosion, growing watercress in the freshwater pool, and creating signage for awareness
raising. A training programme for the youth and children on the importance of removing
algae and carnivorous fish from the pool was also held.
“The community is now more aware and have a new found appreciation of the benefits of
the pool, and are now taking better care of it. The primary beneficiaries are the children
because they swim in it every day, and the experience is now more enjoyable. Mos of the
adults come in the evening and use it for bathing. Watercress is also grown at the end of the
pool, as there is also as a shelter for people who want to take a rest and enjoy the cool air. It
can also be a source of drinking water if boiled, and has the potential to be a stand-by
source for us and other nearby villages in case of a drought. It can also be used for the
crops. The water is also deeper and cooler now because of the rehabilitation work that had
been done, which also includes proper sealing of the sides,” said Aumua Clark Peteru, Vice
President of the EFKS Vini Fou Project Committee.