Communities in Traditional Authority Kayembe in Dowa District have commended World Vision Malawi for installing a solar-powered water supply system at Kayembe Trading Centre and surrounding villages.
In an interview on Monday, Kayembe Water Users Committee member Saulos Kautsa said the organisation installed kiosks in their village, at the trading centre and at Kayembe Primary School.
He said previously, women used to travel long distances to access clean water from neighbouring villages that have functional boreholes.
“But in 2023, the women’s burden was eased as World Vision installed five kiosks in the area. One kiosk was installed at Kayembe Primary School, another at the trading centre and three others in the villages,” said Kautsa.
He said clean water was crucial for personal hygiene.
“A walk around the village established that some women, who used to wash their clothes at rivers, were doing laundry right in their homes,” said Kautsa.
Kayembe Primary School head teacher Exmus Chakale said clean water has improved hygiene at the institution.
He said there is a borehole at the school but its water is salty; hence, learners and teachers do not use it.
“But now children are able to wash hands after visiting toilets. During break time, they don’t go far to get water,” said Chakale.
Senior Chief Kayembe urged her subjects to protect the kiosks for future generations.
“World Vision has given us a good gift. Water is life,” she said
