22 March saw the annually observed World Water Day, a day where The United Nations request the world to focus on this vital resource and host water education activations around the globe. In celebration of this day, SOS NPO hosted two community upliftment activations in the Bloekombos community on the 23rd March, focusing on this year’s theme of #ValuingWater.

As an extension to their Covid response and prevention project, SOS has become involved with a new PARKS Upgrade Project with the City of Cape Town, which involves the identification, clearing, cleaning and recovering of original park spaces that were assigned as play areas for the children and social areas for residents in Bloekombos. This saw a community clean-up at the Blekie Street Park and the upgrade of the play area complete with a new wooden jungle gym, with the message to value water and parks for all. This project, which will include the installation of another 14 hand-washing stations into the community, has been made possible by partnerships with Xylem Watermark, Pepsico and the National Business Initiative (NBI). 

Celebrations continued later in the afternoon at Masibambane Secondary School in Bloekombos, where SOS NPO installed the very first Hand-Washing Station last year. Guests were treated to presentations by the SDG Youth Club Ministers, where they expressed what water means to them and the sustainable development goals that they lead.  This was followed by stellar performances by the Masibambane Marimba Ban, Choir and Gumboot Dancers, along with speeches by AldermanXanthea Limberg, Councillor Siyabonga Duka, Councillor Brenda Hansen as well as Mr Marcus Horberg: Vice President of Volvo Group Southern Arica, who had a very special surprise announcement.

Volvo Trucks SA gifted SOS NPO two of their heavy duty trucks for their incredible and selfless work that they do with local communities. “These trucks represent our global groups social responsibility and to invest in empowering and supporting the people in these communities and we couldn’t have gifted it to a better organisation than SOS NPO” - Mr Marcus Horberg.

“We are so thrilled to have received this generous donation from such an incredible partner who we have worked closely with over the past three years. The trucks will be used for all the essential and critical activities that we are running, from transporting water to supporting our food relief initiatives.” – Shelley Humphreys: SOS Chief Executive.

The goal of World Water Day is to discover what water means to different people, how they value it and how we, as Water Ambassadors and Educators, can better protect this vital resource.  By observing and celebrating all the different ways water benefits our lives, we can value water properly and safeguard it effectively for everyone.

Media enquiries and more information:

Wired Communications
Tammy Tinline
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