Boreholes the answer to water crisis
Means have been made to provide water-scarce communities with access to clean, fresh water
This year’s International Water Day (22 March) theme is ‘Groundwater: making the invisible visible’, which highlights the importance of providing boreholes to water-scarce areas.
More than 2.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean and safe water. This reality was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic where sanitation and hygiene were priorities.
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Mashudu Mokwasi from Sekgosese in Limpopo said drinking from the same water where livestock drink is inhuman and painful.
But this is the reality for many across the globe, with around 6 000 children dying from water-related diseases daily.
According to child-focused humanitarian aid agency World Vision, there has been some improvement in extending water access – but there is still a long way to go. Rural communities in KZN, most notably uMkhanyakude District, still suffer with no access to potable water, having to share river water with their livestock or walk long distances to fetch a bucket load of this precious resource.
One 12 year old from Mbhashe in the Eastern Cape would travel long distances to fetch water, exposing her to incredible danger.
However, she can now access water at home.
‘I’m happy things have changed now for my family, myself and my community after World Vision South Africa installed a borehole, pump and tap within easy reach and sight of my home,’ she said.
World Vision has significantly improved the lives of many families by providing safe access to clean water over the last 55 years.
The NPO has drilled 43 boreholes in four areas, assisting 95 431 individuals.
These include:
– Mbhashe, East London: 8
– Nkonkobe, East London: 6
– Thusalushaka, Limpopo: 26
– Enable, Limpopo: 3
Bruce Layzell, national director of World Vision South Africa, said, ‘We are inspired to work in the most vulnerable communities in South Africa; regions that receive a disproportionately smaller portion of CSI and other funding, because the potential of the children in these communities is vast and unlimited.’
Those interested in donating to the cause can visit www.worldvision.co.za
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