#WASH to support Freedom Park

Humana People to People in South Africa (HPPSA) launched its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (#WASH) programme under its Child Aid Doornkop project on July 28.

The event was hosted at Banner of Truth Ministries International in Freedom Park. HPPSA has teamed with The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) to implement this programme in selected informal settlements in Johannesburg to address the serious issue of a shortage of water, sanitation, and hygiene. The initiative will also be expanded to other parts of Johannesburg.

Freedom Park is the second region in Johannesburg to implement this programme after Zandspruit.

The project’s overarching purpose is to help alleviate #WASH problems in the two underserved communities.

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On the day of the launch, 117 people from the community attended including local leaders. It was supported by various relevant stakeholders including the Ward Councillor’s Office, Coca Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), Johannesburg Speaker’s Office, Department of Water and Sanitation, and Department of Basic Education representatives.

Mathews Tewesa from HPPSA began his key note message by stating that the Coca Cola Foundation had a clear vision for what they wanted, which was for HPPSA and the community to develop a programme to address the water and sanitation hygiene challenges in Johannesburg’s informal settlements.

He further expressed gratitude to the councillor and residents for accepting HPPSA as part of their community.

In his remarks, he acknowledged that this programme would not have been possible without the financial support from the Coca-Cola Foundation, along with the capable grant management and leadership of the Global Water Challenge.

As he concluded his speech, he assured residents of Freedom Park that HPPSA will improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene through this programme.

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In Freedom Park, the programme aims to achieve the following objectives:

i) Collaborate with Freedom Park Secondary School to drill a borehole, and extend watering points to the community.

ii) A solar-powered borehole will be established, emphasizing community responsibility in safeguarding the infrastructure.

iii) While one borehole is currently planned, the potential for expansion to other wards remains a possibility.

iv) To ensure borehole safety, it will be strategically located at Freedom Park Secondary School, guarded against vandalism and theft.

v) A special focus will be on empowering women and youth through entrepreneurship.