Alliance One hands over 10 boreholes
Alliance One Malawi Tobacco Limited (AOTM) has committed to complementing government’s efforts to improve and increase access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in public schools in the country.
AOTM corporate affairs manager Fran Malila made the commitment when she handed over 10 boreholes to nine schools and a community-based orphanage under the Mvunguti Zone in Lilongwe.
Malila said the company spent a total of US$51 997.85 (K39 998 388.00) to drill the boreholes and also build capacity of 110 borehole management committee/water- point members from the beneficiary communities.
“With financial support from Imperial Tobacco Group, AOTM selected and prioritised the 10 sites for the borehole projects, including the four boreholes that we maintained at Magwero CDSS [Community Day Secondary School], Magwero, Mkoma and Kalonga Primary Schools.
“This CSR [corporate social responsibility] initiative was established in response to the 2016/2017 National Disaster Appeal for Humanitarian Relief Assistance and successfully implemented in collaboration with and under the technical supervision of the Department of Water Resources in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development,” she explained.
Malila encouraged the beneficiary institutions and communities to take ownership of the boreholes in order to sustain the project for future economic and community gains.
Mvunguti Zone primary education advisor (PEA) Chrissie Bondo expressed gratitude to AOTM for the contribution it is making to the social and economic development of the country and Lilongwe district in particular.
“We acknowledge and appreciate your involvement and support in crucial sectors such as Education, Health, Sanitation/Water, and Environmental Management. I strongly believe that the donated boreholes will motivate pupils and improve school attendance, which is very encouraging,” she said.
The 10 institutions that have benefitted from the project include Mbvunguti Primary and CDSS, Kabwabwa, Kalambo, Chiuzimbi, Chipala, Shire Urban, Chatata, Malikha, Tsokamkanansi schools and Adziwa Orphanage.
It is expected that 35 416 school going children and 45 200 community members will directly benefit from the project through improved sanitation and clean source of water as well as for domestic purposes.
