WITH no end in sight for the current water crisis plaguing the country, the Rotary Club of Durban North recently joined forces with the Gift of the Givers Foundation and the East Coast Radio #WaterShare initiative to provide some relief to the communities most affected.

“The club feels strongly about immediate relief and we believe that is important to provide communities that have suffered a tragedy or crisis with immediate assistance, and thus we jumped at an opportunity to participate in the #WaterShare initiative,” said president, Alma Maxwell.

As funds were running low for the volunteer-based initiative, they decided to empty the famous ‘Golden Frog’ coin statue at the lower parking lot at the La Lucia Mall. By dipping into the funds dropped into the statue by generous shoppers, the volunteers were able to donate 230 litres of water to the cause.

Last year, club members also rallied their support around the plight of the elderly women at St Matthews Church, Emachobeni in Inanda.

“The ‘Gogos’ had started a vegetable garden to grow produce to be used by local schools and crèches, with the remaining vegetables being sold to the community. However, the lack of available water was hindering their progress. We investigated the sustainability of the project and, thanks to a grant from Rotary District 9370, installed a 5 000-litre JoJo water tank to ensure that rainwater could be collected and used effectively, and now their garden is flourishing,” said Maxwell.

The volunteers of the Rotary Club of Durban North have appealed to the public and corporate entities to support their combat against the water shortage by either donating funds or water. Every cent donated to the voluntary-run club will be used to run its initiatives.