Resilience amidst drought

This story was originally published by UNICEF Pacific on their website.

No water for weeks, plants were slowly dying, the grass was turning brown, the local water sources were starting to dry up, and children even stopped playing outside in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

“I was scared,” says 13-year-old Francesca, remembering how she felt when a state of emergency was declared in Pohnpei State and the school principal said there would be a shortage of water. As a result, schools in Pohnpei, including Francesca’s school, Sokehs Powe Elementary, began operating a half day schedule for students.

As a WASH champion, Francesca knew she had a role to play, not just in supporting her fellow students to get through this challenge, but also at home and in her community.

Sokehs Powe Elementary School is uniquely positioned not only to enjoy the majestic view of Sokehs Rock, a symbol of Pohnpei’s rich history and culture, but also to be in close contact with the sea. But, with ongoing climate change, children in FSM not only face threats from rising sea levels but also from climate impacts like the severe drought that recently affected the country.

Francesca remembers how school operations were affected because of the drought and that water pipelines connected to the school were closed. The school had to obtain three more water tanks to prepare for the drought, and teachers reminded her and fellow schoolmates to conserve water. “We could not use bathrooms during class hours, but only during recess and lunch time,” she says.

Francesca has been an active member of her school’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) club for four years now. She joined the club in the fifth grade and now, as an eighth grader, she serves as the club’s President. With a team of 20 dedicated WASH club members, Francesca has been instrumental in advocating for increased access to WASH services in her school, which is home to 156 students.

Under her leadership, the club has embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at creating positive behaviour change such as engaging in school gardening and promoting healthy and local food. Francesca and her team have also taken significant steps in improving hygiene practices in school. They have educated their peers on proper handwashing techniques, as well as tested and monitored the quality of their water in the school and nearby community water sources. Through this they discovered that while the water from their dispenser was potable, other community water sources were not.

Perhaps most crucially though, they have been highly involved in advocating for water conservation. Francesca and her club members used the opportunity of World Water Day last year, when they presented to lots of important leaders and community members, to advocate for water conservation. This proved invaluable as the drought took hold, as their knowledge helped them spread awareness throughout their own community. 

"Even though the drought was really hard, it showed us how important it is to save water. We couldn’t use the bathrooms during class, so we had to be careful with water. At home, we used containers and took shorter showers."

The WASH club efforts have not only boosted the self-esteem of the students but also enhanced the academic performance of both WASH club members and non-members. The club’s activities have inspired other students to strive for academic excellence to meet the grades required to join or remain in the club.

“Being in the WASH club for four years helped me understand how to save water and share that with others. When the drought hit, we told people that if they didn't have water, they could go to the rivers and make tanks to collect water. We also talked about these things during WASH days. It felt good knowing that our WASH club was making a difference and helping everyone stay aware of how to conserve water.”

For Francesca, her commitment to WASH advocacy has not gone unnoticed. She has had the opportunity of presenting to distinguished guests, including Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong as well as UNICEF’s management. These memorable experiences have further strengthened her desire to make a difference in her school and community and have left a lasting mark on her friends, family, and teachers.

UNICEF works closely with school teachers to help implement a range of WASH-related activities that promote healthy behaviours and environmental responsibility among students. These initiatives include educating students on proper handwashing techniques, monitoring the quality of water sources, and advocating for water conservation - particularly during the recent drought. This support not only improves the hygiene and sanitation conditions at the school but also empowers students like Francesca to become active WASH champions in their community.