Water consciousness in South Africa: a survey conducted with 10-13 year old learners in Kliptown, Soweto

• Main Author: Von Maravic, Marie Caroline
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Water conservation > South Africa; Active learning > South Africa; Environmental education > Activity programs > South Africa
• Online Access: Von Maravic, Marie Caroline Water consciousness in South Africa: a survey conducted with 10-13 year old learners in Kliptown, Soweto, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/21825>; http://hdl.handle.net/10539/21825

A report on a research study presented to The Department of Social Work School of Human and Community Development Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Social Work March, 2016 === The annual Conference of Parties (COP) held on the 7th-8th of December 2015 made it obvious; the environment is changing and urgent action is needed globally. Globally for the reason that damage done to the environment in one region, may have impacts in other regions. In regards to Africa and in specific South Africa, water as a finite resource is no more available as it was decades ago. This fact needs to be addressed with urgency, as human survival heavily depends on water – especially in Africa (UN Water, 2006). A part of the literature review will be dedicated to challenges related to water and its consequences for the African continent. The core of this study will be to highlight the importance of water for human beings and what can be done to raise awareness. Further, a quantitative study in Kliptown (a suburb area in Soweto suffering from water scarcity); by means of a survey was undertaken to understand more about children’s behavior in regards to water. The purpose of the research was to raise the knowledge of 10-13 year old learners and members of the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP) on the value of water and to assess their awareness on environmental friendliness as well as their daily water management. The intervention took place at Kliptown, with members of the KYP; a nongovernmental organization supporting in lifting children out of poverty. A pre and a post questionnaire was conducted as well as short video clips shown to KYP members, explaining water scarcity and climate change; supported by some recommendations on how to save water in their current environment. Random sampling has been applied to 24 members out of the population of 119 grade 5-7 members, ranging between 10-13 years of age. Respondents were of mixed genders. Data collection of the survey was cross-sectional and has been performed by means of pen-andpaper. The whole intervention with the filling out of the questionnaires, including the video clips and short presentation took about 90 minutes. Data has been interpreted by using descriptive statistics. The outcome provided information on the environmental friendliness of KYP members aged 10-13, their knowledge on the importance of water as well as their pro activeness in regards to the environment and water. Further the study tried to find out whether there is a difference of responses in regards to gender. The outcome of the study will be shared with the Director of KYP to be informed and probably implement recommendations of the study. The outcome of the study revealed that children do not know much about water, however, are interested in knowing and doing more to get acquainted to the topic. === MT2017