In response to the National Government’s declaration that the drought in South Africa is a national disaster, Woolworths has announced a R1.5 million investment in water infrastructure for schools, and the launch of an ongoing MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet fund, the LOVEH2O WATER FUND.
Many schools across the country are adversely affected by poor access to water and frequent water cuts. Due to hygiene issues, schools close during water cuts, repeatedly disrupting the education of scores of South African learners. Over the past three years, the country has been locked in the worst drought in its history, with the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape bearing the brunt. Woolworths’ R1.5 million starter funding of the LOVEH2O WATER FUND will be committed to installing water tanks for rainwater harvesting and storage at schools in these provinces.
The LOVEH2O WATER FUND will enable consumers, who are MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet supporters concerned about water conservation and education, to be part of an initiative that improves water security in drought-stricken and under-resourced communities.
Rainwater harvesting from roofs is a highly effective strategy for improved water management and reducing pressure on municipal water supplies. The water can be safely used for washing hands and flushing toilets, which are the two main reasons that schools close and send children home when there are water cuts. In addition, this supply of rainwater can be used to irrigate food gardens so that, even in times of drought, schools can still produce vegetables and fruit to supplement their feeding schemes with fresh, healthy foods.
Water-wise South Africans can join Woolworths by signing up for the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet Programme and nominating the LOVEH2O WATER FUND as one of their three beneficiaries. Every time a supporter shops at Woolworths or other partner retailers, they have their free card swiped at till points or online checkouts and a percentage is donated to the LOVEH2O WATER FUND by the retailer, at no cost to the customer. In this way, the LOVEH2O WATER FUND aims to raise ongoing funds so that more and more South African schools have a sustainable source of water thanks to the installation of water-saving and water-harvesting infrastructure such as rain water tanks.
To be part of what matters to you most, visit www.myschool.co.za and sign up for free as a supporter or download the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet App and get started immediately. You can nominate the LOVEH2O WATER FUND and another two schools, charities or conservation causes as your beneficiaries. Every time your card is swiped at a point of purchase in a Woolworths store or at any other partner store, the participating retailer makes a contribution to your beneficiaries at no cost to you.
