South Africa: Water for Schools Project

This is a incredibly noble and much-needed effort to ensure that South Africa’s learners are provided with clean drinking water and adequate sanitation. A borehole, water tanks, water tank stands and the required plumbing are the main requirements for this project; see the project contact details at the bottom of the article.

The Water for Schools Project evolved late in 1999 during discussions with various school Principals.
It came to the fore that most schools were willing but unable to raise the full amount necessary for a complete borehole installation. Further to this, the children were being put under under stress at ‘waterless’ schools.

Henceforth, Water for Schools undertook to spearhead the establishment of a project which could uplift the socio-economic substructures of the rural communities within the Limpopo Province. As schools are paramount to the upliftment of, particularly rural communities, it was deemed appropriate that a portion of the funds needed, is to be raised from within the community. The viability of this project pivots on communal participation of an R11 000.00 contribution by the community, thus serving as a guarantee to each installations sustainability.

At some of the schools the learners bring their own drinking water and often the headmaster will use his own transport to ferry water to the school for staff. The lack of water at the school posses a sanitary problem with the result learners are having to relieve themselves in the nearby bushes causing a health hazard.

The project undertakes to provide the learners with a constant supply of clean (tested) water. Having provided this facility it will enable learners to do practical agricultural science and grow vegetables to supplement the schools feeding scheme and sell the excess to supplement the fund raising activities as well as providing practical training in health and hygiene.

Once a school has notified us of their intent to participate in this project we endeavour to locate a funder who will be willing to fund/sponsor the balance of the payment per installation (R64 000.00).

The entire amount of R75 000.00 provides:

• The drilling of a borehole with guaranteed tested water.
• 2 x tank stands with 2x 5000 litre water tanks or 1x 10 000 litre water tank and stand.
• Electrical connection to the Borehole and automatic float level switch as well as the piping and installation of 4 faucets at strategic points.

With the water problem at the school alleviated the next step will be water bourne sewerage thereby controlling the spread of diseases such as typhoid and cholera.

Contact details for the Water for Schools Project:

Tel: +27 15 516 0572
Fax: +27 15 516 0572
E-mail : waterforschools@lantic.net
Website: www.waterforschools.co.za

Contact persons: Janet Parkin, Rodney Parkin

Source: Water for Schools Project

Also see: Rain water tanks at schools save money and educate learners.

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