The lives of about 260 households in Chikho Village, under Traditional Authority Kasakula in Ntchisi District, are about to change as WaterAid prepares to drill a borehole that will provide the community with access to clean water for the first time.
According to WaterAid, approximately 12 million Kwacha will be invested to save people from drawing water from their only option—a small water fountain (Kasupe)—which sometimes runs dry.
Takondwa Chikalimba, a Form 2 student at Katete Community Day Secondary School, says the situation has impacted education.
“When I came back from school around three in the afternoon, I was forced to go straight to draw water, and by the time I returned, I would be too tired to study. In the morning, I had to wake up early to fetch water again so I could bath and go to school,” she narrates.
Her mother, Catherine Iphani, agrees, saying that sometimes the children miss school due to long queues at the water source, which originates from the Mtsala River.
“We feel abandoned,” laments the mother of four.
Irene Kabango, another parent, shares similar sentiments, saying the situation is worse for girls who are menstruating, as they are forced to skip school.
Senior Chief Kandodo says they have been engaging authorities but to no avail.
“Now and then, my subjects suffer from waterborne diseases,” he claims.
Health Promotion and Public Relations Officer at Ntchisi District Health Office, Frank Kaphaso, agrees with Chief Kandodo saying the hospital receives cases every month.
However, Kaphaso commends WaterAid for its intervention, as residents will now have a nearby water source.
Laston Zungu, WaterAid program officer, emphasises that “this goes beyond the provision of clean and safe water, as we are also targeting behavior change towards adopting better hygiene practices.”
According to a UNICEF report, the country needs to invest $259 million, approximately K350 billion, annually to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which stresses the need for everyone to have access to clean water and sanitation.
