Bambisanani Partnership helps South African children return to school with water supply connection
The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement!
It was reported several weeks ago that the Principal of Mnyakanya School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa had contacted the Menston based Bambisanani Partnership charity as students at her school were not able to return to school after the Coronavirus lockdown as the school had no water supply and students and staff could not adhere to safety and hygiene procedures such as washing hands and equipment. Mrs Mkhize spoke of her students ‘starting to lose hope’ in what is one of the most deprived parts of the country that had over 90% unemployment even before the onset of the pandemic.
The three main UK based partners of the charity; St. Mary’s School, Menston, The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University wasted no time in setting about raising the necessary funds to first and foremost reconnect water to the school and also to improve the plumbing at the school, particularly the number of taps that students have access to. Fundraising events from on-line Quiz Nights to the ongoing sponsored Run/Walk/Cycle the equivalent distance from Yorkshire to South Africa have been enhanced by generous donations from Bambisanani supporters.
£5,000 was the initial target which would enable the water to be connected and students return to school. The Bambisanani Partnership is absolutely thrilled to announce that it has worked in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and that jointly the funding has been found – the water subsequently connected and the students have returned to school.
““We are lost for words to express our grateful thanks and joy at being able to return to school; we have hope again.””
““Thank you to everyone at the Bambisanani Partnership for all the hard work that has allowed Mnyakanya to reopen because we now have water at the school. The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement! Please pass on our sincere thanks to all the Bambisanani team and supporters for making this happen and happen so quickly.””
The Chair of Governors at the school Mr Sguda Bhengu passed on sincere thanks from the Governing Body to the partnership for restoring the water supply to the school, adding, “We still face the Covid-19 pandemic but the water supply means that washing and hygiene will no longer be a problem.”
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership was delighted that the students and teachers had now returned to school, and said “To resolve this problem has been a tremendous team effort. Very quickly we were able to liaise with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to agree a ‘50/50’ funding package that would connect Mnyakanya School to the water supply. Our special thanks must go to Dr David Chonco, Tony Moodley, Priscilla Guliwe and all at Mnyakanya School and the wider community for their commitment to this project. Thanks also to all the Bambisanani Trustees who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Last but not least, a special tribute must be paid to our other Bambisanani team members and supporters who were so swiftly into action with fund raising. These efforts have certainly all made a real difference; Mnyakanya School is an oasis of hope serving one of South Africa’s poorest communities. Children being in school here massively enhances their life chances which will ultimately help tackle the poverty in the area. These young people are so keen and determined to learn; many of them are prepared walk two hours to and from school each day because they value education so much. They set us an example with their positive and dedicated attitude and they deserve every chance and encouragement. We have now successfully achieved phase one of this plan. Phase two is about improving the plumbing at the school so that there is more than one outside tap for the students to use. We are also investigating installing more sustainable and effective water collection and storage methods at the school – so the fundraising for the ‘Mnyakanya Water Project’ will certainly continue! The next time that you turn a tap on or wash your hands spare a thought for members of this community where these procedures are certainly not taken for granted.”
