User:YanniMoss/sandbox

MOSS FOUNDATION
MOSS FOUNDATION is an international clean water aid charity that combines skateboarding and art to raise money to develop water schemes in Eswatini, Africa. Founded in 2006 by Rob Francis, MOSS (Melbourne Old School Skateboarders) Foundation has headquarters in Melbourne, Australia as well as branches in Barcelona and Eswatini.

The MOSS Deck Art Shows are a series of annual exhibitions and auctions containing a number of skateboards which have been used by artists and skaters to create unique artworks. Many great artists have collaborated with MOSS Foundation to raise money for the cause. 100% of all funds raised by MOSS are put towards developing life changing clean water and sanitation systems to communities in need in Eswatini.

MOSS is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

History
MOSS was founded by former professional skateboarders, musicians and artists who skated together as teenagers in the 1970s in Melbourne, Australia.

MOSS’s first water project was a single tank installed at the Moyeni community care point in Swaziland in 2006.

MOSS Foundation was incorporated in 2009 and has built more than two dozen life changing permanent clean water systems, mostly as sole MOSS Foundation funded projects, but also in partnerships with other organisations, including European Union Micro Projects, the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Rotary International and others. MOSS Foundation has also augmented or repaired projects, installed by US AID, World Vision Australia and European Union.

MOSS Foundation Inc officially became an Australian ACNC registered charity in 2022.

MOSS Foundation Africa is registered as a Not For Profit in Eswatini.

Overview
Outreach

For most of the water projects completed by MOSS, the community in need will reach out to the Foundation and then they will look into it and begin an assessment. Over the years, the foundation has garnered a reputation in Eswatini, earning the trust and recognition of the local population. Through its dedication and commitment, the MOSS Foundation has become a well-known name associated with reliable support for water related issues in the region.

Assessment

Once a community has reached out to MOSS Foundation, a detailed and rigorous assessment will be held based on viability and need to decide the advancement of the project. A number of factors are assessed including whether the water supply will be sufficient during both wet and dry seasons, the community’s willingness to contribute physical labour, the community’s ability to collaborate effectively, detailed cost analyses, and various other concerns. As part of this process, MOSS Foundation typically reaches out to the head teacher at the community’s school. Through this assessment, MOSS ensures that its projects are strategically planned and executed, taking into account the unique circumstances and needs of each community in Eswatini.

Implementation

After detailed information about the area and the needs of the community is examined, the implementation of the water system will commence. Based on the surrounding landscape of the community, a plan is created detailing how the project will be completed. The process varies for each of the projects, however it usually includes dams, bores, piping, water tanks and filtration systems among other water system components. All designs and plans are in accordance with the DWA (Department of Water Affairs). With the help from MOSS Foundation, the community is responsible for the physical labour required in the building of the water system, this often includes pegging routes, clearing vegetation, digging, laying and bedding pipeline trenches and construction of dams. Furthermore, operating and maintenance procedures are transferred to the community, they will be trained to service and repair the system to ensure long lasting effectiveness.

Results

MOSS Foundation’s dedication to building long lasting and effective water systems for communities in need has resulted in over 30 completed projects and made clean drinking water available to 25,000 people. MOSS Foundation has also partnered with a number of schools, orphanages and other organisations such as the United Nations to help improve access to clean water in Eswatini.

MOSS Deck Art Show
The MOSS Deck Art Show is an annual event that celebrates the intersection of skate culture and art. It serves as a gathering for artists, skaters, and art enthusiasts from across the globe, providing them with an opportunity to exhibit their distinct perspectives and creative endeavours while raising money for the Foundation.

The MOSS Deck Art Show began in 2016 as a way for the community to come together and support local artists while also celebrating the creativity and passion of skateboarding. Events are held in Melbourne and Barcelona.

One of the most unique aspects of the MOSS Deck Art Show is that all of the artwork is created on skateboard decks. These decks are a canvas for artists to express themselves in a way that is both practical and visually stunning. The decks are typically donated by local skate shops, and artists use a variety of media to create their designs, including paint, markers, and even pyrography (burning designs into the wood).

The MOSS Deck Art Show has attracted a wide range of artists and attendees over the years. It provides a platform for artists to showcase their talents and for the community to come together and celebrate a shared passion. All of the profits made by the show are used by MOSS for the implementation of water and sanitation systems in Eswatini.

Locations
Headquarters in Melbourne

Eswatini locations (MOSS Africa)

A base in Barcelona