SOS Malta’s Director CLAUDIA TAYLOR-EAST talks to Erika Brincat about their work in the field of rain-water harvesting in developing countries, and the Water for Life-Malta initiative - today being World Water Day which is recognised every year by the UN to acknowledge the one billion people worldwide without access to clean water.
Please tell us about SOS Malta’s
objectives.
SOS Malta is a Maltese-registered NGO set up in 1991 which aims at aiding people experiencing times of crisis and empowering them by providing support services and opportunities to implement development and change in their country to ensure a better quality of life. It encourages advocacy on behalf of social causes, as well as promotes models of good care and practice. In all its operations in Malta and overseas SOS Malta also promotes volunteerism for effective sustainable development.
And what is SOS Malta’s Project ‘Water for Life – Malta’ concerned with?
‘Water for Life’ has the objective of sensitising adults and children about the implications of lack of water supply and sanitation – a reality which few in Malta are exposed to - as well as of fund-raising for the implementation of water supply projects in developing countries.
It is seeking to raise funds towards Rain Water Harvesting as part of the programme “Promoting Development in Europe: Towards a Critical Mass and Beyond” of Minority Rights Group International. The programme is funded by the European Commission. The project, which commenced in October 2008, is creating awareness about realities which are denied of water.
How serious is the global shortage of water?
It is estimated that 66% of the world’s population will face water shortage by the year 2025, unless water is conserved wisely and used more cautiously. Following the Tsunami in 2005 and SOS Malta’s emergency aid interventions in Sri Lanka, the NGO took a decision to start implementing Rain Water Harvesting Projects as part of its overseas development work. This was because SOS Malta noted that most of the communities where it was working were unable to reach or afford safe drinking water and water sanitation.
What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting in developing countries?
The benefits of rainwater harvesting (RWH) have been long underestimated. And yet, it is one of the simplest and inexpensive methods which can be adopted in working towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal for drinking water by 2015 in areas where people have no access to reliable sources of water.
Rain Water Harvesting is accepted as one of the most eco-friendly, sustainable solution for a community. However, its success is entrenched in the capability of the community to come together, own the project, provide labour and look after and maintain the created structures. Community mobilisation and involvement are thus the key.
Rainwater harvesting is a valuable option which can secure safe and sufficient drinking water for many local people, as well as improve their livelihood. Apart from satisfying immediate human needs related to thirst, adequate water supports food gardens, the keeping of livestock, processing of crops, fishing and small-scale economic enterprises. A reliable nearby source of water frees up time previously spent by children and women in water collection, resulting in improved school attendance and women’s involvement in activities that increases the well-being of themselves and their families.
How are your goals being reached overseas?
In 2006, SOS Malta set as its objective the kick-start of rainwater harvesting at a community level in Sri Lanka. We noted the difficult choices which face rural people every day in some parts of Sri Lanka. Is it the family, the cow or the withering crops which is going to survive?! We have initiated rural development initiatives in five villages in the Matara district through intervention in the areas of health, nutrition, education and community organisation. SOS Malta also supports community based ventures for rain water harvesting such as an underground water-storage for a school and orphanage in Weligama, Sri Lanka
To reach maximum effectiveness we trained a core team from our ground contacts in Sri Lanka and together with SCESA and SHARE from Mumbai India organised and funded a training program in the Raigad district in India for five persons including a mason. During the extensive training program 15 villages were visited where RWH projects were completed and goals achieved. A domestic water tank was produced locally for the rain-water harvesting projects implemented by SOS Malta and Healing Hands in the villages.
What can you tell us about your Rainwater Harvesting Projects in Ethiopia?
In 2008, SOS Malta took the decision to expand its rainwater harvesting projects to Africa. It will be doing this primarily in Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Rainwater Harvesting Association. Rainwater harvesting used to be practiced for a long time in Ethiopia. However, due to the use of modern technologies, this traditional practice had been almost forgotten. The recent revival of RWH has been triggered by problems such as overexploitation and dropping groundwater levels, caused by modern water supply technologies.
Roof water harvesting from schools, churches and individual houses with corrugated roofs are being tried in Ethiopia and with success. Other forms of rain-water harvesting are being used in Ethiopia – such as surface run-off systems, sand dams, and underground reinforced cement tanks. SOS Malta is planning the set-up of rainwater-harvesting projects, using either of these techniques, in at least two villages set in rural areas in Ethiopia.
How will the project create awareness here in Malta?
The project will do this by raising awareness about the waste of water by Maltese society.
Basically the project is aimed at encouraging citizens to take action, such as: a) contributing to fund-raising activities b) advocating for Malta, as an emerging donor country, to increase its development aid targeted at water access and sanitation issues, while ensuring a human-rights approach to how such aid is used.
In the last few months we have been carrying out presentations and animation in various secondary schools. To date, fifteen secondary schools have been visited, with over 3,000 children being addressed. Five more schools shall be visited during the month of March 2009. The presentations aim at bringing children to appreciate the luxury of having access to water in Malta. Topics discussed include pollution, climate change, the human right to water, sanitation and water-related diseases, the effect of lack of water on village and daily life in developing countries and the role which we should all play as global citizens, in addressing these issues.
An art competition has also been launched and teenage children (aged 11–14 years of age) are invited to submit paintings or drawings which depict the theme of ‘the right to water and development.’ The closing date for entries is the 8 of April 2009. The work of art which wins the competition will be used as the image for a 2010 calendar which will be distributed among public, corporate and NGO stakeholders in Malta including the relevant Ministries.
An SOS Malta fund-raising initiative has been planned for today - World Water Day. The event will consist of an afternoon party for Maltese families, involving animation and activities. The party will serve to launch the concept of the right to water and of contributing towards the fight against water poverty. The Toons Tea Party is being held today at Villa Arrigo from 2pm to 6pm. A stand for Water for Life-Malta will be set up, and brochures will be distributed. Farsons/ Eco Pure Premium Water Company Ltd have committed to supplying SOS Malta with free 0.5 litre bottles, which will be sold during the event, and any profits generated will be fed into the Water for Life-Malta fund. In addition a ‘Water for Life-Malta’ facebook account has also been set up.
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