Clean Water for Kids in Mmangweni

Contaminated natural spring with cattle hoofprints. 

Mmangweni village is a pastoral community high up in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Livestock grazing is their primary source of livelihood. Children walk upwards of 6 hours to collect water from natural springs. However these natural springs are  contaminated by livestock waste. Consequently many young children fall ill to waterborne diseases due to bacterial contamination and many complain about the bad taste and appearance of the water.

Water Plaza (without storage tanks and gutters). Source: Texas A&M

A simple solution to water security problems is installing Water Plazas - communal gazebos that are fitted with rainwater rooftop catchment systems.
The community and Kidlinks World are raising funds to install several Water Plazas in the village. These structures will both provide clean water and drastically reduce the amount of time children walk to collect water for their families. One 14x10 ft Water Plaza provides clean water for 12 people. Water Plazas also provide shade and a rest spot for socializing, and can function as a bus stop.

Funds raised through this venture will go into purchasing materials to construct five Water Plazas including: sheet metal, wood/iron beams, gutters, and water storage tanks.

Mmangweni village is supported by Kidlinks World Inc. and the LAND Project. 

Please consider supporting this project. Kidlinks World, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3, non-profit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. Your donation to Kidlinks World Inc. is tax deductible.

Mmangweni child collecting water for his family

Kidlinks / LAND Project team with kids from Mmangweni