The following story we have received from our partners in Malawi: United Purpose. We work with United Purpose (UP) in Malawi and Gambia, helping to implement safe water systems and distributing efficient cookstoves to help reduce fuel use, increase local health, and gender equality. UP is a movement of people and organisations that strive to end poverty and inequality across the globe, for more information please see their website. We at CO2Balance would also like to congratulate UP on the launch of the Malawi Country Strategy 2021-2025 earlier this week.
Improved access to water allows communities in two villages to follow good hygiene practices and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Before July 2020, the borehole in Mphimbi Village in Dowa district was in a dilapidated state. The water pressure was very low resulting in decreased or no water supply. “It was not easy for all households to have water. There was less and less water coming from the borehole. It was taking almost 20 minutes to fill a 20-litre bucket,” explains Emily Chakhala, one of the women in the area.
Because of water scarcity, households were using the available water mainly for cooking and drinking. “It was difficult for us to practice good hygiene, especially hand washing, with little or no water. This placed our lives in danger in the face of COVID-19. As you are aware, hand washing is being promoted as one of the preventive measures,” Chakhala says.
Senior Group Village Head Konze echoed similar concerns highlighting the large number of households relying on this borehole for water. “A total of 581 households in two villages use this borehole. It was always difficult for each household to access enough clean water,” Konze says.
In July 2020, UP, with funding from Charity: water, rehabilitated the borehole. The rehabilitation involved the installation of a new water pump, rising main pipes, pump rods, pump head and civil works such as the construction of a new apron and drainage system.
“We are grateful for the rehabilitation of this borehole. Now, there is high water pressure and many households can easily access enough water. The availability of water allows people to follow good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” explains Chakhala.
With financial support from Charity: water, UP is implementing the Dowa Integrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene (DI-WASH) project aiming to provide improved and sustained access to safe water, appropriate sanitation and hygiene facilities in selected traditional authorities in Dowa district. In the framework of this project, a total of 56 boreholes will be rehabilitated and 80 new boreholes drilled in the project’s impact area.
“We are grateful for the rehabilitation of this borehole. Now, there is high water pressure and many households can easily access enough water. The availability of water allows people to follow good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” explains Chakhala (pictured left using a rehabilitated borehole).
With financial support from Charity: water, UP is implementing the Dowa Integrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene (DI-WASH) project aiming to provide improved and sustained access to safe water, appropriate sanitation and hygiene facilities in selected traditional authorities in Dowa district. In the framework of this project, a total of 56 boreholes will be rehabilitated and 80 new boreholes drilled in the project’s impact area.
Informed consent was obtained from the participants for the publication of accompanying images in accordance with UP’s safeguarding policy.