Schools can make every drop of water count
Schools, eco-clubs, scout and cub groups are invited to join the exciting Water Explorer initiative. Once challenges are completed, teams are awarded points that count towards prizes - a great incentive for joining the program.
With level 6 water restrictions imposed in the Western Cape, people are learning to use every drop of water – with a quota of 50 litres per person for all daily activities. As ‘Day zero’ looms for Cape Town at the epicentre of the crisis, the truth is that after years of exploitation, this country, like many, is running out of water. One season of good rain cannot recover three years’ worth of very little and only now are rivers, dams and ground water slowly being replenished. Cities like Johannesburg and Durban are still subject to level 1 water restrictions.
Whilst complacency and ignorance is to blame, a focused effort to change behaviour patterns to value and appreciate water is the only approach for survival and education is key to the solution.
The International Water Explorer Programme has been in operation in SA for three years and is not a whimsical add-on educational programme, but an emergency intervention strategy. Gugu Nzimande, says Siphakamile School has been a ‘Water Explorer’ school since inception. Last year her Water Explorer team ‘Sipha Green Buddies’ placed first nationally and second internationally. The school won over R10 000 in prize money and heaps of prestige.
“This programme is for everyone, whether you are a rich city school or an under-resourced rural or township school, with one-on-one support visits and telephonic support and encouragement from the dedicated Water Explorer staff, you don’t necessary have to have access to high speed internet to succeed. The challenges or lessons provided in the Water Explorer lesson suite are relevant to our ongoing environmental work making it easy to adapt the program to suit our needs.” says Gugu.
Teachers were introduced to this fun online water-saving program and shown practical ways to engage children while acting on vital water issues. They calculated personal water audits and water-wasting habits to illustrate how small water-saving measures can make big differences, especially at larger schools. Whilst water-saving and pollution prevention is the main aim of the program, competition between schools is a great incentive. Teams are awarded points towards prizes.
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Port Shepstone Junior Primary teacher Kerry Peyper joined the programme and loves the competitive element. As a response to ongoing litter and subsequent water pollution programs, PSJPS is currently involved in the Eco-Brick Challenge which uses recycled waste like chip and sweets packets and compacting it into two litre plastic bottles to make eco-bricks. Over 1 200 eco-bricks have already been collected and the school will host a ‘Big Build Day’ where the winning class will be rewarded with a class party.
Water Explorer is an HSBC sponsored online water conservation programme spanning 11 countries. In SA, it is implemented by the African Conservation Trust. With over 350 SA teams taking part this year, the programme, now in its fourth year, has grown from strength to strength. So far water saving efforts equate to a massive 5 million cubic metres. Schools, eco-clubs, scout and cub groups can join this exciting initiative or register for free at www.waterexplorer.org or contact 065 9619982.
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