Story by Mabvuto Kalawa, Malawi Freedom Network Correspondent, Nathenje
“Water is life.” This saying has come true for the people of Dilawo Village in Traditional Authority Chadza, Lilongwe District, after KFHI, a Korean organization, drilled a borehole to ease the problem of water scarcity.
For years, community members endured long walks and early mornings in search of water. “We were traveling long distances, waking up early to fetch water, but now we will be drinking from a nearby place,” said one woman with joy. She explained that leaders had previously promised them boreholes but never fulfilled their promises. “We are very thankful to these Koreans. They have bailed us out of a major problem of potable water. For a long time, we suffered, but now God has saved us,” she added.
Chairperson of the Borehole Committee, Mai Catherine Kaputeni, emphasized sustainability. “We will care for the borehole and maintain it ourselves. Each household has been contributing K3,000.00 for maintenance in case the borehole breaks down. We have also formulated bylaws to govern its use,” she explained.
Senior Group Village Headman Dilawo also expressed gratitude. “Although there is a water tap managed by Nathenje Water Users Association (WUA), it was often dry. The association lacked professionalism and was greedy. I once requested the former MP to assist us, but he did nothing. I am very grateful to KFHI for rescuing my village from this problem,” he said. He further noted that bylaws and intensified community contributions have been put in place to sustain the borehole. He appealed to well-wishers to provide training for maintenance. “We can’t go back to KFHI for training—they have done their part. They have given us trousers; why should we ask them again for soap?” he added.
Commenting on the development, the KFHI Project Coordinator said assisting vulnerable communities is part of the organization’s mandate. “As a church organization, we are supposed to give back to communities. We ask the people of Dilawo to care for this borehole—it is your gift,” he said.
KFHI, a South Korean organization, works in several communities in Nathenje. Apart from drilling boreholes, it also feeds children in Dilawo, Chakale, David, and Chigwedera villages and provides free afternoon education to reduce dropout rates. The organization also runs a secondary school where some girls are offered free education.
The new borehole in Dilawo cost K20 million and will benefit 1,564 households across Dilawo, Namikoko, Ndemvu, and Chakale villages. Additional boreholes have also been drilled in M’nolo and Pansi villages.
