The microscale safe water project in Dowa District, Malawi has been successful in addressing SDG5 (achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls) and SDG6 (clean water and sanitation). In collaboration with our partner Self Help Africa (former United Purpose), this project is contributing to improved access to clean water. Although Malawi is technically a water-rich country, a water crisis exists that is currently affecting over 11.7 million people, with 1.7 million lacking access to safe water and 10 million without adequate sanitation (USAID, 2023).
Today we meet Veronica, a mother and a farmer in a household of three in a Village in Dowa District. She describes to us how the project has allowed her to access safe water anytime of the day all year around, which has removed the struggle that women used to undergo of finding water sources in shallow wells located far away from their homes, as depicted in the picture above. Instead, she is now able to focus the saved time on household chores and field work.
She further mentions how with the access of more safe water the incidences of waterborne diseases have gone down, as people are getting less sick compared to before. Families are now better protected and ensured a healthier life, as specifically children under 5 would often suffer and not survive waterborne illnesses.
Please get in touch if you’d like to know more about our work in Malawi.
Informed consent was obtained from the participants for the publication of accompanying images in accordance with SHA’s safeguarding policy.