Clean Water for Nkhata Bay: How Temwa’s Interventions are Transforming Lives and Communities in Nkhata Bay

By Blair Mhone

Grace Khoza from M’doyi Village in Usisya, Nkhata Bay used to spend hours each day walking to the nearest shores of Lake Malawi to fetch water for her family, a journey that was not only time-consuming but the water from the lake was often dirty and contaminated, which risked making her children sick.

But Grace’s life changed as she is one of the beneficiaries of a Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme under Temwa Organization which has drilled boreholes and distributed water filters to households in her community. She is now able to draw potable and clean water closer to her for her family without having to worry about waterborne diseases.

“Since the borehole was drilled here, our lives have improved significantly. We no longer have to worry about the health of our children or the quality of the water they consume. My children are healthier, and I have more time to focus on other things that can improve my household,” She says.

Grace is also grateful for the WASH Project which has seen improved latrines being constructed by every household in her community and feels empowered to take control of her family’s health and well-being, and she is optimistic about the future. Grace’s story is just one of many in Usisya Nkhata Bay that show how access to clean water can transform lives and communities.

Under the project which M’doyi Village and Grace Khoza have benefitted, Temwa Malawi is equipping communities with knowledge for easy adoption of hygiene practices after a baseline survey the before the project revealed that access to safe and clean water was a significant challenge, leading to frequent occurrences of water-borne diseases in many communities in Nkhat Bay district.

According to the organization’s Country Director, Kondwani Botha said through the project, communities also now have access to water filters at a subsidized price as part of providing access to clean water.

“Through the project, communities have been trained on how to come up with standard latrines and make good use of them in their homes, they also now have access to quality water as the organization is providing water filters at a subsidized price to make them more affordable for every household,” he says.

Douglas Mhango, Village Development Committee-(VDC) Chairperson for the Usisya area commended the organization for the project, saying before the project people used to drink untreated water from unprotected sources.

He also pointed out that previously beach communities in Usisya usually used makeshift latrines which also posed hazards to their well-being, especially during outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and others.

“Usually we would only have one makeshift latrine for hundreds of fishermen but now because we have been incentivized under this project,” Says Mhango, “We have now well-constructed latrines and we will also continue following good health practices to curb the spread of diseases in our area.”

One of the most significant impacts of Temwa’s interventions in Nkhata Bay has been the improvement in the health and well-being of the community.

Before the implementation of these interventions, waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea were common in the district, especially among children. The lack of access to clean water also meant that people had to spend a significant portion of their income on medical expenses and purchasing bottled water.

Since the implementation of Temwa’s WASH project, the incidence of waterborne diseases has decreased significantly, and households have had access to a sustainable and reliable source of clean water. This has resulted in improved health outcomes and a reduction in medical expenses, allowing families to redirect their resources toward other needs, such as education and business.

In addition to the health benefits, Temwa’s interventions have also had a positive impact on the environment focusing on sustainable water management practices has led to a decrease in water wastage and an increase in water conservation.

The boreholes and water filters provided by Temwa also reduce the need for plastic water bottles, which are a significant source of environmental pollution.
The success of Temwa’s interventions in Nkhata Bay is a testament to the power of community-driven development.

By working with local communities and prioritizing their needs, Temwa has implemented sustainable solutions that improve the lives of the people in the district. The organization’s approach to development has also fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment among the community, which is critical to the long-term sustainability of these interventions.