Encouraging the leaders of tomorrow to be ambassadors today…
23 May 2012
A team of HSBC staff members braced the cold and windy elements to help pupils from Emfundisweni Primary School install a rainwater harvesting tank at their school and learn more about water conservation through this initiative. Emfundisweni is working towards a green flag certification in association with WESSA and the Eco Schools Project and was one of the many schools in Alexandra to have received an earthworm farm donated by HSBC.
Installation of the water tank was supervised and managed by an Eco-school coordinator while both learners and adults worked together to complete the required digging, cement mixing, painting and steel structure assembly which formed the base of the collection tank.
Rainwater harvesting can ensure an independent water supply during water restrictions and the water collected has a variety of uses ranging from irrigation to cleaning, and if filtered adequately can be used as drinking water.
The installation was supported by discussions to raise awareness around water conservation and simple changes that can help save water. These include:
- Taking shorter showers
- Washing things together
- Ensuring that taps are closed properly
- Not polluting or littering in water
- Washing cars with a bucket rather than using a hosepipe
- Re-using rainwater to wet plants and vegetation
- Reporting water leakage to authorities
HSBC aims to improve the circumstances within the schools that it donates to and encourage learners to become ambassadors within their communities against climate change.
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