We’re thrilled to share the second update from our ongoing clean water partnership in Malawi! Thanks to your support, meaningful progress continues — including the construction of wells, school latrines, and community water points across the Chikhwawa and Chiradzulu Districts.

Dive into the latest impact highlights and see how your support is helping shape a healthier future for communities in need.

Implementing partner: Water For People (WFP)

Status: In Progress

Estimated Completion Report: Fall 2023

Progress to Date

In the second half of 2021, you generously funded 2 Wells with Hand Pumps in Malawi. Your gift — along with donations from our global community of supporters — has since been put to work as part of a larger grant reaching people in the Chikhwawa and Chiradzulu Districts. Below is a report on the progress so far.

Our local partner WFP Malawi is hard at work. So far, they have:

• Completed 109 of 266 planned water projects
• Designed all of the piped water systems and started construction
• Started building latrines at all five participating schools

Field Conditions

Malawi is one of Africa’s most densely populated and least-developed countries. Most people live in rural areas where water is scarce, and as a result, many women and children spend hours each day walking to collect it. The majority of the population also depends on farming to survive, making them vulnerable to natural disasters. Unfortunately, recent years have brought several in quick succession.

Our implementing partner WFP Malawi is currently focused on achieving full water and sanitation coverage in the Chikhwawa and Chiradzulu Districts. Chikwawa’s location along the Lower Shire River makes it prone to flooding and drought, while Chiradzulu’s hilly, rocky terrain hinders water access overall.

Impact Story

Before WFP Malawi began working at a local primary school, there were just 10 latrines for 1,052 students. “As the ratios indicate, my learners had a lot of challenges when it came to hygiene,” Headmaster Lester shared. But those days are quickly nearing an end.

Thanks to WFP Malawi and generosity like yours, additional latrines are currently being built. In addition to standard latrines, WFP Malawi is also building latrines with changing rooms and latrines that are accessible to students with disabilities. In addition, the borehole was rehabilitated, bringing both clean water and improved sanitation facilities to the school.

Lester concluded, “We thank Water For People for the recommendable work which will stay for decades—to the next generation after this one.”

Community Engagement

Like many of our partners, WFP Malawi forms Water Point Committees made up of no more than 10 people. These committees have equal male and female representation and are trained to manage and maintain the community water point. Meanwhile, Area Pump Mechanics (APMs) are also identified. APMs typically live near the community and have a service area of approximately 50 water points.

If a piped system has been built, a Water User Association is formed in place of a committee. They are tasked with overseeing the entire piped system and recruiting a Utility Operator for day-to-day administr