Learners and teachers at Nkhumano Primary School in Traditional Authority Mwenewenya in Chitipa District have expressed excitement with the installation of a borehole at their school, saying it will improve hygiene.
For years, the school was operating without running water, which put learners and teachers at risk of contracting hygiene-related diseases.
To improve sanitation and hygiene, World Vision Malawi in September 2024 drilled the borehole at the school.
As a long-term plan, the organisation plans to embark on Sekwa River Water Project to tap water from the river to supply to the school and surrounding communities.
Meanwhile, the borehole at Nkhumano has brought relief to 402 children who used to drink water from unprotected sources.
In an interview on Wednesday, the school’s head teacher Benson Kayira said lack of water affected learners as they had to walk about a kilometre to draw water from Sekwa River.
He said: “Sekwa River is the nearest source of water. However, the water is not clean. During the rainy season, it was not safe for drinking. Yet, learners had no choice but to use the water.
“However, the problem is over as World Vision drilled a borehole at the school. Our learners can drink safe water, finally.”
Kayira also said classrooms are clean as learners use the water to mop the floor.
“Importantly, girls no longer abscond classes during their menses because water is available,” he said.
Standard Five learner Mastano Ng’ambi said she was one of the learners who used to draw water from Sekwa River.
“It was a bad experience because the water was muddy during the rainy season and the place is dangerous for girls,” she said.
World Vision Chitipa district programmes manager Hendrix Kalanje said they installed the borehole to improve hygiene at the school.
