WaterWise is a section 21 not-for-profit organisation formed as an offshoot from the National Sea Rescue Institute to address the educational elements of safety and common sense around expanses of water, as well as protocol and procedure in emergency situations. WaterWise Warriors relies on voluntary donations to sustain and grow its footprint in South Africa, to raise a nation of sensible and capable water users, where life skills such as CPR truly can mean the difference between life - and death. We really need your support - either as funding for projects or overhead costs, or as gifts of your expertise and time. Help us to make a difference by making all South African's WaterWise. We now have SARS 18A status so your donations are tax deductible.

	We welcome once off or monthly donations. Below are our account details : Bank :  FNB Account Name :  Waterwise Warriors Branch :  Sea Point, 201 809 Account no. :  62114660378 Please send us your proof of deposit slip with your postal address so that we can thank you personally.

	The cornerstone of the WaterWise project is teaching CPR skills to South African youth. We believe that if more youngsters are empowered with this valuable life skill, and coached to have the confidence to be efficient first responders in emergency situations, fewer water related incidents would result in drownings. By sponsoring a WaterWise workshop, you ensure that a group of youngsters gain access to the valuable skill of CPR. They learn about how to respond in an emergency, who to call and what to do while they wait for help to arrive. Each child leaves a WaterWise workshop with a mouthpiece, having practiced CPR techniques on Annie, the doll. To find out how you can sponsor a workshop, please contact Linda Els on +27 (21) 434 4011.

	If your school is looking for ways to increase its social responsibility, and provide a sustainable initiative for increased communication across cultures, consider a WaterWise Twinning Project. Aimed at school going children between the ages of 11 and 14, this is a module based, fun and team oriented program that teaches survival skills and water safety. The course is conducted (usually outdoors) with learners from two schools simultaneously. In this manner, both groups are taken out of their comfort zones, and required to perform tasks relating to their survival as a team. The more privileged school supports the cost of the workshop.

	What about a school civvies day in aid of WaterWise in your area? The WaterWise team will come and do a presentation at your school assembly, and each learner pays R5 for the privilege of wearing casual clothes for the day. In this manner, your school can contribute meaningfully towards making all children in your local communities WaterWise. A church group in Macassar raised money for WaterWise by hosting a Saturday afternoon Car Wash in their area. Well done on a sterling effort, guys!

	The demand for WaterWise workshops is so high that a Train the Trainer program became imperative. Educators and coaches needed a structured teaching plan to enable them to feel confidant in teaching basic CPR and water safety skills to learners WaterWise Train the Trainer conducted its first pilot program in March 2009. The project has met with much success and we look forward to a fulfilling year where many educators and coaches can become WaterWise trainers. Part one of the Train the Trainer program ensures that delegates achieve the Heartsavers CPR certificate. This section of the course follows the American Heart Association’s excellent DVD instruction along with scenarios and testing by the WaterWise instructor. Part two takes trainees through the WaterWise water safety PLAN, showing them how to transfer water safety skills, tips and advice to the next generation. The Train the Trainer program enables WaterWise to train teachers, coaches and other educators in CPR technique to a high standard, as well as teaching them how to teach the WaterWise workshops for maximum impact in their communities, schools, or sports clubs. We hope to reach even more children at risk of drowning with this new program. Please call Linda Els (083 743 7203) for information on the Train the Trainer program, and to assist with funding this or other WaterWise projects in your area.

	Youth At Risk in South Africa are statistically at a much greater risk of drowning. They often don’t have access to the information and education that would enable them to make safer choices when deciding to enjoy our coastline or inland waters. The aim of the WaterWise Youth at Risk project is to expose groups of youngsters to the WaterWise program, to enable them to learn and practice the skills, then for this to become meaningful for individuals and teams as they are invited to compete with their peers in an interactive water safety and survival competition. We believe that by offering the WaterWise program to Youth at Risk in South Africa, a very important group of youngsters will be empowered with skills for life - and hopefully life-changing skills. We can highlight the plight of this sector, and gain valuable exposure for the vital skills that all our youth need.