News Story

'Where There is Water, There is Life'

A Papua New Guinea village receives the gift of clean, reliable water with help from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The remote village of Riwaldi, in the Rigo District of southern Papua New Guinea, sits near the top of a mountain, and has struggled for decades to find a source for clean, reliable drinking water.   

The village of Riwali now has a source for reliable, clean water, thanks to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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When rainfall comes, it quickly runs down the mountain, leaving the community without a stable source of clean water. 

But thanks to funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a centrally-located water well now provides stable, healthy water.  Community toilets were also built as part of the project. .

At a ceremony on 2 May, 2025, community members gathered to celebrate the completion of three projects: the Church-provided community well and restrooms, and, separately, a new school building provided by local government funding.

New community toilets were also part of the humanitarian project for the village of Riwaldi, in southern Papua New Guinea. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Students performed traditional dances in celebration, and local leaders spoke of the immediate impact both projects would have on the community.

Local student dancers celebrate their new water system provided with assistance from the Church of Jesus Christ, and new classroom building provided by the district government office. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Riwali water supervisor Ilagi Kema says the location of his village makes retaining water difficult, and the ground well provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a major improvement in the lives of Riwali residents. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Riwaldi water project supervisor Ilagi Kema said “there is a problem in our community because we live in the high hills, and sometimes we find it difficult to find water."

He said that water is the most serious issue in their community. 

"Where there is water there is life. So, this is a way forward, and it is a blessing for our community for you to give this service to us.”

In communities like Riwaldi, and throughout Papua New Guinea, the Church of Jesus Christ works to provide humanitarian resources to meet basic needs and improve health and educational opportunities for all.  For those who receive assistance, something as simple as a faucet clean, safe and reliable water can be a blessing of profound comfort and confidence as families and friends happily support and lift each other.  

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.