Evangelical Lutheran Development Service

FROM NAMADZI RIVER TO SAFE WATER: MASALE VILLAGE’S JOURNEY TO CLEAN AND SAFE WATER

Access to clean and safe water has long been a major challenge in Masale Village under GVH Namakhuwa, Traditional Authority Ngwelero in Zomba District. For years, over 80 households depended on unprotected water sources, particularly Namadzi River, exposing them to frequent cases of diarrhea and cholera. Through a Participatory Vulnerability Assessments (PVA), the community identified unsafe water as a key vulnerability affecting health, productivity, and resilience. The community therefore prioritized construction of new water points as well as rehabilitation and protection of existing water infrastructure as a pathway to improved health and climate resilience. In response, ELDS through the CJC project supported the drilling and installation of a borehole at Kachere in Masale Village. Apart from drilling and installation of the borehole, the project also trained the responsible Water Point Committee (WPC) and facilitated establishment of a water point fund for sustainability of the borehole.

Before drilling and installation of the new borehole, women and girls walked long distances to fetch water from neighboring villages or the contaminated Namadzi River. During the dry season, water became scarce and more polluted, increasing disease outbreaks. Children frequently missed school due to illness, and women lost productive hours that could have been used for farming or small businesses. Apart from improving access to safe drinking water and reduced the risk of waterborne diseases, the new borehole has also reduced the burden of travelling long distances to fetch water more especially for women and small girls and has improved school attendance
Four months after installation, the projects efforts faced a major setback as the borehole was vandalized. Critical components including rods, plungers, and the pump head cover were stolen. Six boreholes in the surrounding area were vandalized during the same period. Despite this setback, the WPC mobilized the community and raised MWK 710,000 through their water point fund to repair it. Training of the WPC had strengthened skills in leadership, accountability, record keeping, maintenance planning, and community monitoring. These capacities enabled the community to respond quickly and independently, demonstrating ownership and self-sufficiency. Kachere Borehole is now fully functional and remains the only operational borehole among the six vandalized in the area. Over 80 households now have reliable access to clean and safe water. Cases of waterborne diseases have reduced, women spend less time fetching water, and families have more time for farming and education.

Going forward, the community has strengthened security measures and improved management of the water point fund to ensure sustainability. This story reflects how the CJC project promotes community collaboration and builds local capacity to enhance resilience to climate-related shocks. A key lesson learned is that community ownership and collective action are essential for sustainable development. Even after vandalism, Masale Village demonstrated that empowered communities can restore and protect their own assets.

7 Days to the Joint World AIDS Day and International AIDS Candlelight Memorial!

Moyo ndi mpamba, usamalireni. Yezetsani HIV lero!