Mnyakanya School Water Project moves quickly to make a difference

28 Sept

Written By Editor

Last month, The Bambisanani Partnership, in collaboration with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, was able to reinstate the water supply that allowed students back into school after the South African Coronavirus lockdown.

The partnership immediately began work with the school and local community after this for Phase Two of the Water Project to install water storage tanks, rainwater collection and filtration system and water taps together with all the associated plumbing.

Much progress has been made very quickly which is having a positive impact on the lives of students and the wider community.

Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Coordinator at Mnyakanya said: “The water tanks have arrived and have been fitted. They were filled with water this week which coincided with start of external exams, which was so helpful. It also coincided with an engine failure that pumps water to the local community. They had no running water in their taps but our neighbours could come and get water from our tanks which was a real blessing for the whole community. With water in our new tanks the learners could drink and wash freely; we could also cook food for them. The learners wrote their exams smoothly. There is still some work to complete on the Water Project but having clean water readily available has transformed life at the school. As I have said before this project has already saved lives it is now helping to improve the life chances of our learners who really appreciate it. ”

“This really has been a tremendous team effort as indeed it always is when projects like this are successful.”

— David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership

David Geldart from the partnership added: “With significant donations from our amazing friends, supporters and partners we were able to move swiftly on the project. Working with the local community we raised almost £5000 from sources within South Africa and the UK. Special thanks must go Otley Lions and the Oxted One World Group who not only provide funding but also very helpful advice that actually helped us expand the project from its original specification to a higher standard. The fund raising organised by Charlotte Wood, from St. Mary’s School by way of the sponsored walk/run/cycle by teachers, students and other volunteers the equivalent distance from Leeds to Mnyakanya is ongoing and remarkable to say the least. Charlotte informs that we are now ‘well into central Africa’ with about out 4000km to go! I must also mention the Mnyakanya community not only for securing part of the funding but also for providing the volunteers to carry out some of the work which reduced the cost of the project significantly. This really has been a tremendous team effort as indeed it always is when projects like this are successful.”