This organisation is working towards bringing fresh water to impoverished communities/ Fresh water for South Africans

Founders of Viva con Agua, a company which has an international presence, are investing in projects that bring life to impoverished communities in the Eastern and Western Cape where access to clean water and sanitation is still a hurdle.

In a press statement, Viva con Agua (VcA SA) said through funds raised from the Villa Viva guesthouse, hub and networking space, it has managed to improve water and sanitation infrastructure in schools.

The initiative comes at a time the world is battling a deadly virus (Covid-19) which needs one to constantly wash their hands and surfaces with clean water and soap.

The organisation said the improved infrastructure would help these school children to remain safe as they practice hygiene.

“Learners are encouraged to adopt safe hygiene practices, for example, washing their hands after going to the toilet or eating food. Disease transmitted through dirty water and the lack of hand washing is the main cause of illness among children leading to absence from school contributing to poor educational outcomes,” the group said.

The initiative was started in October, last year in Cape Town.

VcA SA is said to be part of a global team, ordinary men and women, working towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 which calls on government and businesses to ensure that everyone in the world has access to safe water and sanitation.

According to the founder, this organisation now has more than 15 000 people, mostly activists, who are volunteering their time to ensure that people have safe water and sanitation.

“We bring together people who harness their creativity for collective action which brings about positive change so that everyone, everywhere in South Africa has access to safe and affordable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene,” said the organisation.

The organisation collaborates with partners, service providers, local communities, artists, musicians who volunteer their time, talents and skills to raising awareness.

“When guests stay at the Villa Viva, they do good while they sleep. Your stay finances WASH projects in South Africa,” explains Ajay Paul, co-founder.

Viva con Agua, which is the brainchild of former German soccer footballer, Benjamin Adrion, uses the universal languages of music, sports and art to bring about individual and collective changes in attitude and awareness towards water as a human right.

Editor’s note: a business with international footprint is giving back to residents of both the Eastern and Western Cape by using profits it makes from its businesses to fund its community based projects.

Description:

Viva con Agua South Africa is providing water, which is a scarce resource in some places in the Western Cape, to locals.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Anirlé de Meyer