All is well over in South Africa (From Dorset Echo)

All is well over in South Africa

4:30pm Tuesday 11th November 2008 in

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A TEACHER who has funded an innovative water well in South Africa has spoken of her pride after flying out to see it in action.

Christine Taylor spent two years raising £6,000 to fund the unique ‘roundabout well’ for a village in Hammanskraal.

The Wey Valley School teacher was overjoyed to witness first-hand the difference the project has made to disadvantaged youngsters.

“When I saw my roundabout, the water tank and the pump a lump came to my throat,” she said.

“I filled with pride when I saw my name up there with the name of the school and the people of Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.”

Christine first heard about roundabout wells through actress Claire Goose, whose brother Duncan formed the charity One Water to fund the schemes.

The wells – or PlayPumps – are powered by children playing on a roundabout, providing clean water.

Christine, 57, headed to South Africa to visit the project after British Airways and local people helped with the airfare.

She flew to Johannesburg with fellow teacher Kellee Patterson, armed with a wealth of goodies for the youngsters.

The duo were met by Roundabout Outdoor’s Mark Melman and taken to the well, based at the village school.

Christine said: “We met the principal Andrew and cringed when we saw his so-called office – a tin hut rather like an Anderson shelter.

“He showed us the area they had tried to make into a vegetable garden but it was just dry earth.

“The Government hadn’t put any water in their old green tank so growing vegetables was out of the question.”

Christine and Kellee met pupils and handed out clothes, crayons, books and sweets. During their visit they also enjoyed a guided tour of Soweto and donated equipment to a nearby creche, home to many young Aids orphans.

And they were treated to an entertaining water-themed opened ceremony at the school, courtesy of 450 students and 11 staff.

Christine said: “We spoke to the children and took some photos. It was quite daunting!

“There were songs about how it would give them so much – flushing toilets, growing vegetables and clean drinking water.

“They were enjoying the experience – splashing around in the water – a simple pleasure that we in Weymouth take for granted.

“The vice-chairman of governors then made a short speech and he had tears in his eyes.

“He said we would probably never understand how much having this water would mean to the pupils and the staff.”

Christine and Kellee handed over football kit and stationery before the youngsters waved them off by singing a farewell song.

“I had to swallow very hard indeed for the umpteenth time that day and bravely conducted the children as they sang and waved to us,” she added.

“I think the enormity of what had happened hit me in the car and that’s when all the pent-up emotion came pouring out. I counted myself as one lucky girl that day.”