'Te Katiteuanaaki' Kiribati for Inclusion

Each hand wash basin is made from recycled materials sourced from within Kiribati. Materials include the repurposing of forty-four gallon drums, which are thoroughly cleaned, sealed and painted, as well as timber and plumbing parts to form each hand washing station. From this prototype, the Business Incubator Group has also worked with ChildFund Kiribati to build and install hand wash basins for the 14 communities across Tarawa. This project was funded by the Australian Government through Kiribati Institute of Technology and involved three Bridging graduates who were selected to assist Bwaraam, who led the project. Business Incubator Group Kiribati Institute of Technology’s Business Incubator Group is formed for selected graduates from courses in construction, plumbing, and electro-technology. The Business Incubator Group’s purpose is to undertake a wide range of trade jobs across Tarawa and offers professional development for graduates. Beginning in 2014, the Business Incubator Group has grown from one coordinator role, to a team of ten by 2020. This includes five in construction (one female), two electricians (both female), and one plumber, plus the Team Leader and Incubator Assistant. Over 20 participants have worked on behalf of the Business Incubator Group. The objective of the Business Incubator Group is to provide practical paid employment opportunities for Kiribati Institute of Technology graduates. The Business Incubator Group has proven to be popular with local and international employers, both because of the participants’ technical skills and ability to speak English. Several participants have left the program over the years after being offered employment elsewhere. The Business Incubator Group is now registered through the Kiribati Government’s Ministry of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs as an incorporated society, a not-for-profit organisation. In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Business Incubator Group was approached by UNICEF for the construction of a hand washing station prototype, which resulted in a contract for 27 more hand wash stations across Tarawa. “ The prototype was built out of a used barrel ” said graduate Bwaraam Tominiko, referring to the recycled materials used for the hand wash basins. Graduate and project lead, Bwaraam Tominiko, constructing a hand wash station. Each hand wash basin is made from recycled materials sourced locally. The Business Incubator Group is registered as an incorporated society and has its own logo. 15