Project Tripti
PROJECT TRIPTI
Water – The Elixir of Life –
Water is one of the five basic elements in the cosmic structure. Lives of all living beings are sustained by water.
In scriptures, nowhere is water not divine. In our lives, we must feel the same way. If our water is poisoned by chemicals or human waste, it becomes poison for us all. If it is extracted to the point of extinction, we too shall go extinct.
“Waters, source of happiness, pray give us vigor so that we may contemplate the great delight.
You like loving mothers are who long to give to children dear. Give us of your propitious sap.
On your behalf we desire, O Waters,
to assist the one to whose house you send us– you, of our life and being the source.
These Waters be to us for drink;
divine are they for aid and joy. May they impart to us health and strength.”
– Rig Veda (10.9.1 –4)
As global warming increases due to climate change, water scarcity is rising at an alarming rate, yet the water we have is being wasted and polluted at incredible rates. Most parts of South Africa are suffering from the worst droughts in over 30 years. In the rural communities, cattle are dying, farmers are unable to plant crops, rivers and dams are running dry. Rural schools are some of the worst hit with lack of water. If there is no borehole at the school, the donkey cart or water tank is often the only source of water for the schools and communities.
If the school children have no water, they become dehydrated, cannot concentrate and are often sent home early which impacts on their learning. Buckets with a little water are placed outside classrooms so the children can wash their hands, but this is a luxury. If there is no water the schools are unable to provide school meals. Can we imagine a school where the toilets and ablution facilities have no water.
At the 90th Anniversary Celebration of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha and the 110 Anniversary of the Arya Samaj, Project Tripti was launched so that the Arya Samaj could rise to the call of providing portable water to areas affected by drought. This initiative was also supported by our international guests from India, Mauritius, Kenya and Uganda as part of a social cohesion programme that the Samaj sees as an imperative in Africa.
The Arya Samaj SA has been working closely with KZN Disaster. Management to identify areas in urgent need of water. To date the Arya Samaj has either repaired or installed new boreholes in eights schools.
With water being made available, the Arya Samaj has also launched substance communal farming projects at these schools to ensure they are self-sustainable
BOREHOLES COMPLETED AND HANDED OVER TILL DATE
AREA: HLUHLUWE
Donor: FEB ’16 VEDIC CONFERENCE
New: No
Rehabilitation: yes
Date of handover: 26 AUG ’16
AREA: HLUHLUWE
Donor: FEB ’16 VEDIC CONFERENCE
New: No
Rehabilitation: yes
Date of handover: 26 AUG ’16
AREA: HAMMERSDALE
Donor: MANGAROO FOUNDATION TRUST
New: Yes
Rehabilitation: No
Date of handover: 14 JUN ’17
AREA: GINGINDLOVU
Donor: MANGAROO FOUNDATION TRUST
New: Yes
Rehabilitation: No
Date of handover: 22 FEB ’18
AREA: GINGINDLOVU
Donor: JUDGE CHIMAN PATEL
New: Yes
Rehabilitation: No
Date of handover: 15 OCT ’18
AREA: Inanda
Donor: Mangaroo Trust
New: Yes
Rehabilitation: No
Date of handover: 17 Oct 19
AREA: Inanda
Donor: Mangaroo Trust
New: Yes
Rehabilitation: No
Date of handover: 17 Oct 19
AREA: Inanda
Donor: Mangaroo Trust
New: Yes
Rehabilitation: No
Date of handover: 17 Oct 19