Residents of rural Malawian communities report significant health improvements following the implementation of the Rural Private Taps Initiative by the nonprofit, Water for People.
Community members in Mangulenje Village, Chikwawa District, previously collected water from rivers shared with livestock, exposing them to waterborne illnesses including bilharzia and diarrhoea.
“We used to risk our health by drawing contaminated water from the river, where animals like cows also drank,” said Mary Beans, a programme beneficiary.
“Thanks to Water for People, those days of uncertainty are over.”
The initiative provides direct water access to rural households, reducing disease exposure while saving time previously spent collecting water.
“We were living on the edge, relying on contaminated water that made us vulnerable to deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhoea,” said Suzan Phiri from Glasten Village in Chiradzulu district.
“Those dark days are now behind us.”
Water For People operates throughout Malawi to improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services. The organisation’s efforts align with World Water Day on March 22, which promotes water conservation and sustainable management.
“The Rural Private Taps Initiative has been a game-changer for rural communities,” said Ulemu Chiluzi, Country Director for Water for People.
“By providing access to safe and reliable water, we’ve seen a significant improvement in the health, wellbeing, and livelihoods of thousands of people.”
Chiluzi added that the programme has reduced water collection burdens on women and children while encouraging community ownership of water infrastructure.
World Water Day, established by the United Nations in 1993, highlights global water challenges and promotes sustainable water resource management.
By Meclina Chirwa, AfricaBrief