Water is one of the most essential resources on earth. As humans, we aren’t able to live
without it; however, not everyone in South Africa has access to clean drinking water.
Many people in developing areas across the country either have to walk great distances
for safe drinking water or simply go without.
Unfortunately, with limited water resources and thus poor hygiene and sanitation
practices, comes an increased risk of disease. And there are many:
Campylobacteriosis (Campy), Dysentery, Gastroenteritis and Cholera are all common
diarrhoeal diseases characterised by a massive loss of body fluids that can lead to
severe dehydration. Salmonella, which can precede typhoid fever, are other examples
of waterborne diseases that affect the immune system. Symptoms include diarrhoea,
fever, abdominal pain and vomiting, and to a lesser extent skin, ear, respiratory and eye
problems.
All waterborne diseases are transmitted through untreated drinking water or eating
contaminated food, and in some cases flies may also play a role. But whereas healthy
adults can recover with the right treatment, these diseases can be life threatening in the
case of infants, children and the elderly. In fact, 1.6 million children die each year
throughout the world from waterborne diseases.
Bringing clean water to the people of southern Africa is the main objective of the
Wishing Well International Foundation (WWIF) South Africa – a non-profit organisation
that provides clean, safe drinking water in developing areas by installing purifier
technology in the form of ‘Wishing Wells’. Second to that, WWIF South Africa also focuses
on sanitation in order to enhance quality of life and reduce disease and mortality.
Wishing Well purifiers successfully remove all harmful and unwanted contaminants from
collected water used for drinking and cooking with. Wells are affordable, easy to use
and require minimal maintenance.
Each purifier cost about R1,500 and can be used by ten people for at least ten years. A
donation of just R150 by individuals means that one can provide one person with clean,
safe, drinkable water for ten years.
The Wishing Well International Foundation (WWIF) USA has also pledged to double any
contributions made in South Africa for South Africans, with a limit of R100,000.
Furthermore, 100% of all contributions go towards installing and maintaining water
purifiers and educating the youth about health and wellness.
You can donate via BackaBuddy.co.za
(https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/bringing-clean-safe-drinking-water-
to-rur) or www.wishingwellintl.co.za.
