Water for Life: Community Water Systems in Malawi

Children getting water at the new tap in their community.

Photo: CSC

Christian Service Committee (CSC) of the Churches in Malawi

Some 37,500 households (about 187,500 people) in 150 rural villages in Malawi, southern Africa, are gaining access to clean water, with the help of Church World Service and long-time partner Christian Service Committee. In rural Malawi, only 32 percent of the people have access to a safe water supply.

In this three-year project, people in each village are providing labor and locally available materials to help construct one borehole. Each cluster of five villages is also helping to rehabilitate two existent boreholes.

The main goals of the project are to provide clean water to help prevent waterborne disease, and to reduce the burden on women and girls who are responsible for fetching water and assuring their family's health.

Village health and water committees are being trained to manage, maintain, and repair their community's new water systems. Villagers are also learning about better hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, the benefits of educating girl children, environmental conservation practices, and the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Support for Church World Service helps make this program possible.

Updated 7/7/2008

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