Tshiavha - When plumes of fog gather above the rocky mountains encircling a remote South African village, children look at them with excitement, knowing they will have clean drinking water at school.
Erected in 2007 with the help of a local university, the fog trapped in the nets provides up to 2,500 litres of waters on a good day.
“The water is clean and safe with no chemicals added to it,” said Lutanyani Malumedzha the principal of Tshiavha primary school.
According to Malumedzha, access to clean water had significantly improved school children's health and reduced the outbreak of waterborne diseases.
“Children used to bring their own bottles of water to school during the hot and dry months. The water was collected from muddy wells and not suitable for human consumption,” said Malumedzha.
In some areas, communities share drinking water with cattle.
Although South Africa's water quality is rated among the best in world, rural communities lag behind when it comes to having running water.
“We have learnt to appreciate water and treat it as if it was a precious commodity,” said Malumedza.
“Not a single drop is wasted. Some of it goes there,” said Malumedza pointing to a vegetable garden which provides food for the school feeding scheme.
The four-metre high mesh net which stands outside the school's playground resembles a volleyball net, except for a gutter at the hem where water droplets fall, leading to a water tank a few metres away.
There are no electronics involved and the system requires little maintenance, Malumedza said.
2 comments:
There is a lot of inequality and injustice in the world. Sometimes it overwhelms me thinking about it. I send money where I can and volunteer time. Seems small. Wish we could change the political climates that create a lot of these conditions.
One thing I unfailingly do is appreciate what I have. I live simply. I celebrate being able to step under a warm shower in the mornings. To be able to kiss my grandson in the morning while he's all warm and snuggly in his flannel pajamas.
I know it doesn't help those in dire straits but it seems a sin to not show appreciation when so many are suffering without.
May God one day help us all to change this planet for the better.
Thanks for letting me express this on your space!
Take care, my internet friend. I'm sure you'd be a physical friend if we ever meet in person.
May the changes you speak of be good ones for you and yours.
irondad, you're one of those lighthouses, by which we check ourselves and our own attitudes :)
It's the same for us, my large house, well stocked cupboards, clean healthy kids ... almost feel bad sometimes.
The other day we havd a lady begging at our gate, clearly from somewhere rural. We'd just been given some clothes from a lady who passed on, so we just gave 2 black bags full of stuff to her.
Dropping her off later near the station, i saw a mirror had dropped out the side, so i gave it to her ... if i told you the JOY that was instantly on her face, clearly a mirror was something she'd never owned before ...
I'm not going too far irondad, i just need ... i don't know exactly what ... but you're also busy with other things, so you know :)
peace and love to you and yours!!
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