The ‘So They Can’ NGO has announced a ‘winter plunge’ campaign to inspire people in the southern hemisphere to plunge into cold water to raise funds to support safe drinking water in Africa.

The inaugural campaign will take place from today (Friday July 29) to next Friday (August 5), aiming to raise $30,000 to fund a long term water solution for a school community which supports 800 students and their families in East Africa.

“At So They Can, we believe every child matters and all children deserve the right to safe drinking water,” founder and CEO Cassandra Treadwell said.

“Working with our communities in Kenya and Tanzania, we are on a mission to establish sustainable, clean water sources for all of our 47 schools, including water tanks, rain water harvesting and bore holes.”

Water scarcity is a growing concern in Africa, and So They Can is raising money for clean, sustainable water sources. PHOTO: Ellie Knight

She said such a water source would not only provide access to clean drinking water for 800 students per school, but also for their families and communities.

Cassandra said safe drinking water is a basic human right, but one in 10 people globally don’t have a clean source close to their home or school. 

“In the communities where So They Can works, the issue is widespread, with students – mostly girls – walking kilometres a day during school hours to fetch water. Walking for water leaves students vulnerable to harassment, sexual assault, or abuse.”

Water scarcity in Africa is a growing concern, she said, and by 2025 it is predicted that close to 230 million Africans will be facing water scarcity, and up to 460 million will be living in water-stressed areas. 

Cassandra will be taking on the winter plunge challenge with a group of friends in Lake Wānaka today.

Anyone can commit to jumping in cold water for the winter plunge campaign, tag #sotheycanwinterplunge in their photos on social media, or donate to the cause here.