By Vincent Gunde
Dowa District Council has expressed its appreciation for the efforts of various partners, including World Vision Malawi, in supporting the provision of safe water to communities. These interventions, according to the council, are complementing government initiatives aimed at improving water access and sanitation in the district.
Noel Chikumbu, the Principal Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Officer for Dowa District Council, made this remark during a District WASH Coordinating meeting held recently. He urged all partners to continue their collaborative efforts for the benefit of the people of Dowa. Chikumbu emphasized on the importance of sharing quarterly progress reports for projects, noting that this practice fosters greater collaboration and transparency among partners. It also allows for the exchange of valuable experiences, enhancing the effectiveness of project implementation.
During the meeting, World Vision Malawi presented the results of water point functionality assessment which was conducted in Chisepo area in Traditional Authority (TA) Kayembe. The assessment was part of Charity Water Project annual post implementation plan which aimed to assess sustainability of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions implemented from the year 2014 to 2016
Charity Water Project constructed 180 boreholes in Chisepo area, benefiting 52,129 people in the surrounding communities. Of these, 159 were new boreholes, while 21 were rehabilitated, significantly enhancing access to clean and safe water for communities.
Martha Pukutani, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at World Vision Malawi, shared the findings of the assessment, which focused on evaluating the functionality and effectiveness of water point committees. The assessment covered all the 180 boreholes, and the results were promising. It was revealed that 93% of the water points were functional, with operational WASH committees overseeing the management.
Pukutani recommended that government, through the District Water Development Office (DWDO), and WASH partners, prioritize follow-ups on non-functional and abandoned water points. She emphasized the need for routine monitoring of water points and the provision of on-site support and training for new WASH committee members.
Additionally, DCT members suggested that all water point committees be linked with area mechanics to ensure efficient borehole repairs.
