Rooted in Success: Tree Seedling Business Flourishes Thanks to Dowa Water Project
The availability of water close by has allowed Chitsa to nurture his seedlings properly, a crucial factor in their growth and marketability.
DOWA, Malawi - At the bustling Dowa turn-off, a once-quiet trading centre has transformed into a thriving hub of activity, thanks to a new water project. Among the beneficiaries is Solomon Chitsa, a local entrepreneur whose tree seedling business has flourished with the arrival of easily accessible water, writes Winston Mwale.
"You wouldn't have found these seedlings here today if not for this project," Chitsa says, gesturing to the neat rows of young trees lining the roadside.
"I can do all this because of Hope Water."
Chitsa's journey began when the Rhema Institute for Development (RHID), with support from Hope for a Child, implemented a water-powered piped water supply system in the area.
This intervention has provided safe drinking water to community members who previously relied on contamination-prone boreholes.
For Chitsa, the impact was immediate and life-changing.
"The stream where we used to fetch water is far, so previously we could not afford to carry the seedlings to the road," he explains.
"But after Hope Water came, I started this business."
The availability of water close by has allowed Chitsa to nurture his seedlings properly, a crucial factor in their growth and marketability.
"These seedlings need water just like humans do," he says with a smile.
"As the saying goes, 'water is life'."
Chitsa's business has grown from a small roadside venture to include a nursery in his garden with about 8,000 seedlings.
This expansion has had a ripple effect on his family's well-being.
"I afford to take care of my family," he proudly states.
"Even my child, who is at MUST (Malawi University of Science and Technology), benefits from these trees."
The impact of the water project extends beyond Chitsa's business.
He notes that the entire trading centre has expanded, with new, larger houses being built—a development that was once just a dream for many residents.
However, Chitsa acknowledges that challenges remain.
"Sometimes, the water will stop running, but not for long," he says.
"We ask if they can help with consistent water supply."
He also mentions the need for financial support to grow his business further, hoping to one day raise 200,000 seedlings.
Despite these hurdles, Chitsa remains optimistic about the future.
"I have bigger dreams," he says, his eyes shining with determination.
"I wish for the minister to visit me one day and for the whole world to learn about me. I want to raise many trees, which companies will buy to their satisfaction."
The water project in Dowa turn-off stands as a testament to the transformative power of basic infrastructure.
It has not only provided safe drinking water but has also nurtured entrepreneurial spirits like Chitsa's, proving that with the right resources, local businesses can thrive and communities can flourish.
As the sun sets on another busy day at the Dowa turn-off, Chitsa tends to his seedlings, watering them with care. In each drop of water, he sees not just the growth of his trees, but the blossoming of his dreams and the prosperity of his community.