Reality TV Helped Bring Clean Water To The Pacific, Says ChildFund

ChildFund New Zealand welcomes the return of Celebrity Treasure Island to TVNZ, after actor and muscian JP Foliaki won last year, and donated his winnings to water projects in the Pacific.

"When JP won, there were celebrations across the Pacific - from Kiribati to Solomon Islands," says CEO of ChildFund, Josie Pagani.

ChildFund Kiribati celebrating in song.

99% of households in eighteen villages in Temotu Province, Solomon Islands, for example, do not have reliable access to clean safe drinking water.

"JP’s winnings - roughly $110,000 - will help change this."

Thousands of children across the Pacific still lack access to clean, safe drinking water. Children get sick and even die from drinking contaminated water. Or they miss school to walk hours to collect clean water.

"Clean water changes everything. Kids stay healthy, go to school and get the best chance of realising their potential."

"We know that New Zealanders want to see where their donations go, and if the money makes a difference. Development is hard. Some projects work better than others."

To find out more JP is going to ‘follow his money’ to see how it is being used in some of the most remote islands of Solomon Islands, in Temotu Province.

JP Foliaki will be joined by ChildFund CEO Josie Pagani, and leading paediatrician trained in tropical medicine, Dr Caroline Hart for filming in October. ‘Follow the Money’ will be filmed by documentary maker, Mike Bhana from Wild Films.

Mike has filmed in the Pacific for many years, and is best known in New Zealand for his documentary series, Fish of the Day with Clark Gayford.

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