German Aid Group Hands Over 144 Boreholes in Rural Malawi
The project, funded by charity: water, is expected to benefit 10,400 households in Chief Kaphuka's area.
DEDZA, Malawi — Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), a German aid organization, has handed over 144 boreholes worth K3 billion to communities in Chief Kaphuka's area of Dedza district, central Malawi, writes Edward Chikwanda.
The project aims to increase access to safe water and sanitation, aligning with Malawi's development strategy and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Currently, only 55% of Malawians have access to safe, potable water.
Chifundo Mandala, WHH's Head of Project, said a baseline survey revealed widespread lack of access to safe water, putting lives at risk from waterborne diseases like cholera.
"Apart from drilling boreholes, WHH has also managed to construct a scheme in Mzengeleza area with a tapped water system," Mandala said.
"So far, the impact has been good, with 10,400 households benefiting from access to safe and potable water."
The organization also repaired non-functioning boreholes and plans to start drilling new ones in Chief Chilikumwendo's area in August.
Rhodah Maxwell, a local resident, expressed gratitude for the project. "As an area, we were scrambling for few boreholes. Most people relied on unprotected sources like dams and wells," she said.
"The new boreholes have reduced water problems and prevented waterborne diseases like cholera."
The project, funded by charity: water, is expected to benefit 10,400 households in Chief Kaphuka's area.
Mandala urged community members to use the boreholes responsibly to ensure their longevity.