Xanthia Village, with a population of 7,560, is remotely located in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The entire community lived without access to clean water, leading women and young girls to walk long distances multiple times a day to collect water from a contaminated source. Consuming water from these sources caused waterborne illnesses, including diarrhea and skin rashes. With generous support from the Kirsh Foundation on June 16, 2023, Innovation: Africa installed a solar water pumping system in Xanthia Village. We now witness a community developing, growing, and enjoying increased opportunities.

Vilakazi Village, home to 4,500 people in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, faced a water crisis, compelling women and girls to trek long distances multiple times a day to a contaminated open source shared with animals. The struggle worsened during the dry season, leading to prolonged waits and the search for alternative water sources. Consuming this water caused waterborne illnesses, including headaches, stomachaches, and body rashes. With generous support from the Kirsh Foundation, on March 31, 2023, Innovation: Africa installed a solar water pumping system in Vilakazi Village. This intervention marked a turning point for the community, which is now developing, growing, and seizing increased opportunities. Vilakazi is part of a cluster along with Vilakazi D12 and Zone 14.

Qhoqhoqho Village, located remotely in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, with a population of 3,500 people, was facing a critical water crisis. Women and young girls endured multiple long-distance walks each day to fetch water from a contaminated open source which they shared with animals. The journey to the water source was often dangerous as women faced the risk of being attacked by criminals or snakes. The contaminated water was causing waterborne illnesses, including diarrhea and skin rashes, affecting both children and adults, resulting in high levels of unemployment amongst the community. Thanks to the generosity of HCI Foundation, innovation: Africa was able to install a solar-powered water system in July 2023, to cater to both Qhoqhoqho community and it’s neighboring village, Ezitobhini, who’s community faced similar challenges. Access to clean water will undoubtedly improve the lives and health of these two grateful communities for the better in the years to come.

Cwakeme Village ishome to 4,500 people and remotely located in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. The villagers were living for a long while with no access to clean water, walking long distances every day to fetch water from a contaminated open source, shared by animals such as donkeys, cows, goats and others. Before innovation: Africa intervened, HCI Foundation had generously provided a borehole with a diesel powered pump, however the community was having difficulties accessing and maintaining the borehole. Seeing these challenges, HCI partnered with innovation: Africa in May 2022, to install a sustainable solar-powered water system and thus provide plenty of clean water to the community at large. Thanks to the generosity of HCI Foundation, we have seen significant improvement in the lives of Cwakeme Village’s population.

Matangari Tshitakani Village, home to 3,200 people and remotely located in Vhembe, South Africa. The entire community was living without access to clean water. Women and young girls walked 1 km multiple times a day to collect water from a contaminated the village has 2 open sources. The water source runs dry in the dry season, forcing the community to wait for hours or search for other water sources. Consuming the water from the existing water sources causes waterborne illnesses including diarrhea . With the generous support from Kirsh Foundation, in December 8, 2022, Innovation: Africa installed a solar water pumping system in Matangari Tshitakani Village, significantly improving the lives of Matangari Tshitakani Village’s population. Children have returned to school to receive an education. Women are growing gardens, providing food security and cooking safely. Families are washing their hands, improving general sanitation and thus becoming healthier. We now see a community developing, growing and enjoying increased opportunity.

Sommerset D Village, home to 4,000 people and remotely located in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The entire community was living without access to clean water. Women and young girls walked 1.0km multiple times a day to collect water from a contaminated riverbend and well. The water source runs dry in the dry season, forcing the community to wait for hours or search for other water sources. Consuming the water from the existing water sources causes waterborne illnesses including diarrhea and flu. With the generous support from Brian Joffe, on December 22, 2022, Innovation: Africa installed a solar water pumping system in Sommerset D Village, significantly improving the lives of Sommerset D Village’s population. Children have returned to school to receive an education. Women are growing gardens, providing food security and cooking safely. Families are washing their hands, improving general sanitation and thus becoming healthier. We now see a community developing, growing and enjoying increased opportunity.