Quenching thirst one bottle at a time
SUN VALLEY – What started as a simple call for water, has now taken on a life of its own.
Robbyn Wilkinson, the woman behind the ‘Sun Valley water project’ explained how it all started. “At about 5pm on Tuesday evening, I saw a Facebook post asking for support for Water Shortage South Africa’s water collection projects. I shared the post, and after a short while felt like it was not enough.”
At that point Wilkinson decided to do more – what she did not expect was the tremendous support that came in from friends and residents in the area.
“We received donations from many in the area and contacted the nominated collection points to find out if any had big trucks going through [to Senekal] that day,” Wilkinson said.
After finding out that no trucks were leaving on 6 January, the Wilkinson family loaded up their horsebox and headed down to Senekal, a small town in the Free State. “[Husband] Trevor and our daughter, Sarah, went through. Rachel, our youngest, stayed home and looked after our animals; and I and our other daughter Lisa were at work,” she said.
According to Wilkinson since then the project has rapidly expanded. “Jojo Tanks South Africa has offered tanks, and people in the community have also offered trailers and water.”
Wilkinson added that about four or five trips were also scheduled for this week and they had made a total of three trips down to Senekal to date.
According to Wilkinson, 80 percent of the water is used for drinking and the remainder is for other purposes.
It is reported to be one of the worst droughts in 23 years which, according to weather reports, may only come to an end towards the end of the year.
According Wilkinson, the trips down to the Free State also show the magnitude of the situation. “The trip was incredibly hot, long and thought provoking for them, they saw dry dams, very dry bush and realised how serious the situation was.
“It is quite incredible as this project has developed a life of its own, [and] encourages help as well as creating an awareness of the situation. [There is]… always a gratefulness for the ability to help,” Wilkinson concluded.
Details: 082 378 2473.
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