Borehole changes lives at St Patrick’s School in Umzinto
Al Baraka Bank provided financial support for the sinking of a borehole and installation of a pump at the school after they had received water bills which were becoming unaffordable.
PUPILS, parents and staff of St Patrick’s School in Umzinto had a huge weight lifted off their shoulders after Al Baraka Bank provided financial support for the sinking of a borehole and installation of a pump.
The school had been facing a number of water bills which were unaffordable and this was brought to the attention of Durban-based Al Baraka Bank by the school’s deputy principal, Mrs R Sewnarain.
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“Our school serves mainly orphans and vulnerable children from neighbouring informal settlements,” said school principal, Mr G Dlamini, St Patrick’s Primary School principal. “Since most of these pupils do not have even basic services, they depend largely on the school. Maximum use is made of our toilets and washbasins. As a result, our water bill is exceptionally high and has become unaffordable.”
The bank then decided to jump on board and help these pupils by making available almost R168 000 for the sinking of a borehole and for draining a stagnant and contaminated pond on the property.
When a building was recently removed from the school grounds, it created pond, the water in which was stagnant and overflowing onto school grounds. While working on the borehole, the bank was able to drain the pond making it a safer area.
According to the principal, the provision of the borehole would significantly reduce the school’s spiralling water bill and also enable the improvement of an existing vegetable garden, developed in conjunction with the local community, which serves both the needy community members and pupils.
The vegetable garden is used to provide food for many of the pupils who come to school hungry. The borehole water will be used to irrigate the vegetables and improve crop production.
“Clean water is the essential basis for a healthy life,” said Al Baraka Bank chief executive, Shabir Chohan, “Although a scarce resource in our country, it is a vital resource and, in an ideal environment, all our citizens should have direct access to water. Such an environment is sadly lacking, leaving many disadvantaged communities still living without potable water for drinking, washing or food security.”
The Provincial Department of Education’s Ugu District Office has welcomed the bank’s borehole initiative, indicating that its operation would be beneficial to the pupils of St Patrick’s Primary, as well as the surrounding community.
All those at the school extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Al Baraka Bank for all that they’ve done. Mrs Sewnarain said the school would now be able to save thousands of rands monthly. She is thankful to the management and staff of Al Baraka Bank and to Fathima Mohamed, who was once a pupil at the school, for her continuous assistance.
“This borehole is but a small contribution towards addressing South Africa’s socio-economic challenges, but I believe that, as small as it might be, it is set to make a tremendous difference to this particular school and its surrounding community,” said Mr Chohan.
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