Borehole gift quenches Umbumbulu school’s thirst

Islamic Relief SA (IRSA) handed over its second of 18 boreholes under its ‘Water for Life’ campaign to the community of the Sikhwama district in Umbumbulu on Tuesday, 21 November.

The borehole was drilled at the Sikwama High School to serve its pupils and surrounding residents who have had no piped water since October 2016. It will serve 450 households and about 1,000 pupils, including the nearby primary school.

“The borehole is worth billions of rands to us,” said the excited and overwhelmed school principal, Sibusiso Ngidi, who worked closely with IRSA to facilitate the project. “This was the fastest project I have ever seen implemented and I am delighted as the water has brought much sought-after relief to our pupils. They are now able to resume their feeding scheme project which was suspended due to the lack of water.”

Also present at the hand-over was Wonderful Mshololo, a member of the Vumengazi Tribal Council, who conveyed the chief’s well wishes and thanks to IRSA and its donors.

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“A fresh supply of drinking water will enhance the pupils’ learning capacity and reduce the risks of disease outbreaks,” said IRSA’s KZN head, Shiraz Ismail. “The community which was previously reliant on rain water and tanker supply is now endowed with a steady supply of clean drinking water for their daily needs.”

Residents now look forward to implementing their sustainable community and homestead garden projects, which will provide income and a steady supply of food.

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For more information about Islamic Relief’s Water for Life campaign in KZN, call 031-208-2838 or email shiraz.ismail@islamic-relief.org.za.