- The Problem
South Sudan is one of the countries most affected by water insecurity, with 59% of the population lacking access to clean, safe water4, and only 10% of the population has access to safe service sanitation5.
Unreliable rainfall and dry spells have caused famine among the rural population6, resulting in the need for the country to invest in groundwater extraction to survive.
Many rural communities are entirely dependent on groundwater as their main source of water, however not many people know what it is.
- The Solution
Wishing Well for Communities was a three month educational and fundraising campaign launched at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The project placed 13 local, community-made wooden wells across the V&A Waterfront, and encouraged consumers to use the map provided to locate the wells.
At each well, consumers were required to answer a question about groundwater and fill in the keyword on their physical map, or through SOSNPO’s website to enter into a grand draw and win great prizes.
The campaign further had an educational component with groups of grade 7’s from schools located in the Bloekombos informal community were transported to the V&A to partake in the treasure hunt and learn more about groundwater.
- The Outcome
Save Our Schools Non Profit was able to facilitate the construction of 10 wells built in water-deprived communities in South Sudan. In addition, the four groups of 50 grade 7 children learnt about the importance of groundwater.
