Water for Life: Transforming Health and Conservation in Kutama

The Water for Life initiative, a partnership between the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Coca-Cola Foundation’s RAIN programme, is tackling critical water, health and sanitation challenges in Kutama near the Soutpansberg mountains. This holistic project addresses two fundamental needs: clean water access and menstrual health education.

The Twin Crises We’re Addressing

1. Water and Sanitation
   • Diarrhoeal diseases caused 1.6 million deaths globally in 2017 (Our World in Data)
   • Many communities lack clean water for basic handwashing
   • Our school programmes teach germ transmission and proper hygiene
2. Menstrual Health
   • 400 secondary school girls receiving reusable sanitary pads
   • Focus groups providing vital health education
   • Combating stigma while reducing waste (Ecological impact research)

Water for Life: Environmental Benefits

The initiative extends beyond immediate human needs:

• Alien plant clearing improves watershed function
• Reduced sanitary waste protects ecosystems
• Healthier communities support conservation efforts

See EWT’s Work in Action

Discover more about our Soutpansberg conservation work in our Forgotten Mountain video.

For project details, contact Dr Jenny Botha: [email protected]