Green Development Foundation and its mascot Buti Green recently celebrated World Water Week with students from EASTC Technical School in Kempton Pak.
Students were taught about the importance of water conservation and what to do when water leakages occur.
The learners were very responsive as they were answering questions and asked questions.
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Karabo Mjekula from the Green Development Foundation said: “This Aqua Rangers water-wise event is all about informing children facts about water, how to save water and how to behave when they are near a pool, river or a beach.”
Swimming coaches Khanyisile Makamba and Lethabo Malatse from the City of Ekurhuleni were present at the event to teach children how to be safe around water and minimise the risk of drowning.
“The children were interactive and asked a lot of questions, which is proof that they were paying attention and learning,” said swimming coach Khanyisile Makamba.
She added it is important for kids to learn how to swim so they can protect themselves or someone else from drowning.
“We emphasised the fact that they should go in the water alone. They must always make sure that someone is watching them.”
Lethabo Malatse added that when learners go on school trips, they often go to places with rivers that have no lifeguards to save them should they drown.
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Therefore, it is of paramount importance that children learn how to swim.
“We don’t only teach them how to swim, we teach them how to save someone from drowning without jumping in the water. We teach them that they use a stick or even an empty water bottle that is floating.
“Also, they need to understand the importance of asking their teachers if lifeguards will be available to offer help should they need it.”
Miss Earth 2024 semi-finalist Patience Ramavhale was also present at the event.
“We are not just celebrating water week, but we are also empowering learners with information on water conservation and how to be safe around water.
“I think it’s important for such events to target primary schools and impart knowledge at grassroots level,” she said.
