Water for farmers

Two Craighall Park residents, Susan Symoudson and Daniella Alexander, have taken it upon themselves to make a difference in the lives of South African farmers and their livestock.

Due to the drought, they started a water collection drive for farmers last year which is ongoing. “All we ask is for community members to fill their empty plastic water bottles and then drop them off at the Reea [Foundation’s] vegetable garden which is located on Marlborough Avenue,” explained Alexander, a volunteer at Reea which is a non-profit organisation caring for adults living with epilepsy and neurological disorders.

Alexander said they take the bottles of water to the nearest trucking stations which are then distributed nationwide to help farmers. “People need to remember the importance of water and that there are still places suffering from water shortages and, as a result, some farmers have committed suicide because their crops and livestock are dying,” she said.

“There are still water restrictions in place so we should still be saving water.”

Alexander added that although she ‘farmed’ for Reea on a micro level, the shortage of water hit home as there was so little that could be done without water.

“I urge people to continue dropping off their bottles for distribution and remember that it’s the little things we do that can make a difference,” she added.

Kate Goetz, an avid provider of bottled water to the initiative, said it felt good knowing she was able to make a difference. “I have gone to my neighbours and also asked them to donate and, by doing this, I was able to get Barclay’s operations and technology resourcing to donate their bottles filled with water every week.”

Details:www.reea.org.za