1 in 3 people in Malawi don't have clean water.
1 in 3 people in Malawi don't have clean water.
That's 5.7 million people.
10.4 million people don't have a decent toilet.
10.4 million people don't have a decent toilet.
That's half the population.
More than 1,000 children under five die a year from diarrhoea.
More than 1,000 children under five die a year from diarrhoea.
Caused by dirty water and poor toilets.
What does WaterAid do in Malawi?
We’re working with government, communities and partner organisations. We share our skills, knowledge and experience to make these basic services a normal part of everyday life. At the same time, we’re making people aware of their rights, through citizen’s action groups and community-led initiatives, to make sure every voice is heard.
Dalia keeps the water flowing
Dalia Soda is one of only three female pump mechanics in Salima District. Highly respected by co-workers and communities alike, she was already a keen volunteer in the region before she learnt her trade.
“I knew Nzeremu Village before the borehole came,” Dalia explains. “I was encouraging people to contribute something towards it. They were collecting water from the lake.”
After training from WaterAid, Dalia now keeps the boreholes in Nzeremu and several other villages working. The job has helped her build her own house and pay for all seven of her children’s school fees.
Looking to the future, Dalia has started taking her 19-year-old son with her on jobs so that he can assist. One day, when she is too old to work, she hopes he can take over.
“I'd be very happy if he wanted to be a pump mechanic. I know it would be of service to a lot of the people in the community.”
Safer futures in Chandaka
Zione was close to finishing school when she contracted cholera - a disease that was common in her village where the water supply was unreliable. Now, with a new well close to home, she's hopeful the next generation will have a better chance to finish their education.
