In Africa 2 out of 5 people live without adequate water supply systems needed for basic sanitation and hygiene. The building of reliable and long-lasting rainwater harvesting systems and ecological latrines in schools are cost effective and efficient means to secure water supplies and improve water sanitation for an entire school community. Green Cross International (GCI), together with Pureology Serious Colour Care, has therefore launched the Smart Water for Green Schools project to encourage exchanges between schools in the same river basins. The partnership aims to promote smart water systems and water conservation at the local, national and international levels. The first schools started the pilot phase in February 2010 in Ghana and hoped to reach 1,987 school children and 67 teachers in the five communities. The project seeks to expand to 40 schools in 4 river basins, specifically the La Plata, Volta, Mekong and Jordan River Basins in the next 24 months. A statement issued by the Green Cross International said 45% of the land surface is covered by river basins that are shared by more than one country and 40% of the world’s population resides within internationally shared river basins. “Providing water and sanitation services to schools is an important step to engage children and communities in improving their water security and maintaining their role as guardians of healthy and vital river ecosystems,” it noted. “Selected pilot beneficiary schools and communities are faced with waterborne diseases such as malaria, bilharzia and diarrhoea due to the lack of clean water. These diseases pose a serious threat to child enrolment in schools and their ability to receive basic education. Smart Water for Green Schools will go a long way in helping address the water situation in schools and communities in Ghana and around the world where GCI is present. The support of Pureology is much needed and timely,” said Mubarick Masawudu, President and CEO of Green Cross Ghana. “Pureology’s support for this project stems from one of the central aims of the partnership, namely to garner support for select initiatives relating to conservation of water, a resource that salon professionals make use of,” observed Nathalie Tang, Vice President and General Manager of Pureology worldwide. “In addition, the partnership aims to help encourage salon professionals to support sustainable practices and generate awareness of GCI projects, spreading this message to their clients.” This announcement comes in the run-up to World Water Day, held annually on the 22nd of March and is closely aligned with this year’s UN selected theme “Clean Water for a Healthy World.” With less than 1% of the world’s freshwater accessible for human use, the Green Cross National Offices and Pureology are planning events around the world to highlight the importance of water conservation and the concept of celebrating World Water Day every day. Pureology salons will be educated on how to adopt habits to conserve water and will pass this message onto their clients. "Every day should be world water day. We are happy to work with Pureology to help foster a more sustainable planet. By protecting water resources we protect ourselves," said Green Cross France Chairman, Jean-Michel Cousteau. The first initiative ahead of World Water Day that Pureology and GCI have started is the fundraising campaign for Smart Water for Green Schools. A special edition of a Pureology-GCI water bottle will be available in select Pureology salons. The bottle is designed by SIGG, a company specialising in reusable water bottles. This is especially important given that less than 20% of the world’s plastic water bottles are actually recycled. In the US it is estimated that over 100 million plastic bottles end up in rubbish bins or landfills every day. Source: Myjoyonline.com