In the heart of Nduwa Village in Kasungu District, under the Sankhula Community Development Project (CDP), a quiet yet meaningful transformation is taking place. What was once a daily struggle to access clean water in schools and the trading center has now become a story of relief, improved hygiene, and renewed hope for students and community members.
This positive change has been made possible through a collaborative effort between Good Neighbors Malawi, Beyond Water, and WaterAid to improve access to safe and clean water for students and the wider community. Good Neighbors and Beyond Water upgraded an old borehole at Sankhula Secondary School into a solar-powered water (reticulated water system) supplying clean water not only to the secondary school, but also to the nearby primary school, trading center, and households. To further expand access to clean water in communities, WaterAid also rehabilitated six non-functional boreholes.
A Simple Tap, A Big Change.
The introduction of a reliable running water system has transformed daily life for many learners, especially girls, at Sankhula Primary School. Although the school previously had basic sanitation facilities, the lack of a consistent water supply compromised proper hand hygiene practices. Students often left the latrines without washing their hands because water had to be fetched from distant sources, undermining essential WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices.
This gap in hygiene infrastructure increased the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, threatening the health and wellbeing of learners. However, the recent installation of solar-powered water system and connected pipelines has significantly improved the school’s WASH environment. Both boys’ and girls’ toilets are equipped with functional handwashing facilities, enabling students to practice proper hand hygiene consistently.
Relief for the Community.
The benefits of the water system extend well beyond the school grounds. A communal tap installed within the community now allows households and traders at Sankhula Trading Centre to access safe water close to their homes and businesses. Community members contribute MK50 per 40-litre bucket, helping support the operation and maintenance of the system.
Local leaders, School Management Committees, teachers, and community representatives are being encouraged to strengthen the existing Water Management Committee to oversee system operations, fee collection, and maintenance. This step is essential to ensure the system continues serving the community for many years to come.
he project will also support broader community development, including the Community-Based Child Care Centre (CBCC) and its livelihood/Income Generating Activities (IGA’s) As the solar-powered reticulated water system passes near the CBCC, it can supply water to the centre’s home garden, helping produce nutritious food for children and strengthening child nutrition and early childhood development.
A Community Celebration.
For the people of Sankhula, the solar-powered water system represents more than just infrastructure; it symbolizes improved health, dignity, and expanded opportunity. Students now practice better hygiene, teachers work in a healthier school environment, traders access water for their businesses, and families have a reliable source of safe water.
Good Neighbors is an international humanitarian and development organization founded in 1991, working in over 50 countries to make the world a place without hunger and where people live in harmony. Engaging with over 200 communities globally, we empower people and transform communities through social and economic development initiatives. Good Neighbors has General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) since 1996.
For further information, please contact Good Neighbors Global Partnership Center.
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