NATIONAL WATER WEEK 2009 - Flying the Flag High for the SA Navy Article and photos by CPO Keith Linderoth

It was a day of learning and fun for learners of Montague’s Gift Primary School of Grassy Park in celebration of National Water Week. They were hosted, in a joint effort, by our Fire Department and by the Environmental Services Section on 18 March 2009.

One of the educators at Montague’s Gift Primary School, Mrs Olivia Langenhoven, requested the Environmental Services Section to do a presentation at their school on National Water Week. We in turn invited the Fire Department to be part of the celebration.

En route to Montague’s Gift, we made a brief stop at Steenberg Primary School to share our knowledge of Water Week. AB H. Ngcongo of Environmental Services kept the learners captivated with her talk on water wastage, how to save water and the significance of water. She also spoke about cholera and what to do to avoid contracting the decease.

Posters on Water Week and cholera were held up by learners of Steenberg Primary School

At Montague’s Gift we were met by members of the Fire Department in one of our newest fire tenders. The learners were divided into two groups, with the Intermediate phase learners addressed by the Fire Department and the seniors addressed by the Environmental Services Section.

The Firemen, under the supervision of CPO W. Wiese, gave the learners a demonstration of how they fight fires and how the equipment worked. AB I. Mogwerane, dressed up in full fire-fighting gear, explaining the significance of wearing protective clothing.

AB Ngcongo addressing the learners of Steenberg Primary School	AB Mogwerane demonstrates a fire drill in full protective gear

However, PO S. Masina made the connection between Water Week, water saving and water wastage. He explained to the learners that Fire Services are regarded as essential services and that one of their main tools is water. He said that, if it can be avoided, they do not always use potable (drinkable) water when fighting fires. He emphasized that if fires are not fought, people could lose their lives or property. With mountain and veld fires, it could have disastrous consequences for the ecology. If all vegetation burns down, we could have landslides and soil erosion in the rainy seasons, as there would be no plants to bind and stabilise the soil.

The learners, some of them dressed in bathing costumes, were then entertained with some fun in the ‘snow’. The firemen laid out a large canvas sheet, spraying it with foam. The learners had a field day on the foam filled canvas. It was a very gratifying feeling to see the delight on the faces of the young learners.

Learners of Montague's Gift hold up water awareness posters while AB Ngcongo addresses the assembly	PO Masina and AB Mogwerane demonstrate how a water jet works
The Intermediate learners enjoy the foam while CPO Wiese looks on	The kids listen attentively while being debriefed on the day's activity

AB H. Ngcongo again excelled herself when she addressed the more senior learners on Water Week and cholera. The consensus amongst the educators is that it was a highly successful day, especially in terms of the curriculum where they have to address environmental issues.