POTABLE WATER - Khosolo residents commend project providing safe water
Communities around Mgoza have been relying on well water, facing threats from contaminants, particularly human waste effluents from uphill, leading to heightened concerns regarding waterborne diseases
KHOSOLO, Mzimba, Malawi (Planet Defence) - Communities residing in the area of Traditional Authority Inkosi Khosolo in Mzimba, near Bemusa Trading Centre, can now breathe a sigh of relief owing to the installation of a new borehole close to Mgoza Primary School, supported by African Parks (AP). This initiative aims to enhance water sanitation and hygiene, mitigating the risk of diseases like cholera and others.
During the borehole handover ceremony, Joseph Kamanga, representative of Group Village Headman Kapulapula, highlighted the community's prior reliance on unsafe water sources.
"Unsafe water sources posed serious health risks, especially during outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. With the installation of this borehole, it prevents us from using unprotected water sources," Kamanga stated at the handover event.
He further emphasized the considerable 16-kilometer distance from the borehole site at Mgoza to Kanjuchi Trading Centre, where a health facility is situated. This distance has prompted the community to request a clinic to cater to the growing population in the area.
Mtomaida Phiri, a resident of Kameta village in Group Village Kapulapula, echoed Kamanga's concerns, emphasizing their previous reliance on unhygienic water sources. Phiri added that despite boiling water from wells, children sometimes consumed untreated water, leading to waterborne illnesses.
Kettie Kalua, African Parks' Community Extension Assistant in the area, highlighted the organization's belief that only healthy individuals can positively contribute to socio-economic development.
"Previously, women had to travel long distances to access water from wells. Ensuring good health is vital for environmental conservation. Most people fell ill due to drinking water heavily contaminated with human waste from upstream areas," Kalua explained.
Another community member, Anita Nyangulu, recalled the challenges of fetching water from a shared waterhole among four villages. This situation led to various family issues as partners were concerned about their conjugal rights being affected.
Timothy Tchana Maseko, AP's Community Extension Manager, emphasized that conservation partners would continue supporting initiatives provided the beneficiaries actively engage in environmental sustainability through ecosystem management.
"Support from AP partners is sustainable only if beneficiaries reciprocate efforts towards conservation," Maseko stressed.
Inkosi Khosolo urged the community to take responsibility for maintaining the borehole to ensure sustained access to clean water for domestic use.
Among other initiatives, African Parks has spearheaded development projects, including the construction of bridges, goat passageways, school quiz competitions, and scholarships for secondary and tertiary education, as part of their charitable conservation efforts.