Oxfam drills borehole at primary school

Oxfam in Malawi has handed over a K3.5 million borehole it drilled at Lidunde Primary School in Traditional Authority (T/A) Bwananyambi in Mangochi District.

Speaking during the handover on Friday at the school’s premises, Oxfam in Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said they drilled the borehole to solve water problems at the school.

She said: “We sank this borehole after receiving a request from Mangochi South legislator Lilian Patel [United Democratic Front] that over 700 learners from the school were drinking unsafe water from the surrounding rivers.

“Therefore, as one way of rescuing them from waterborne diseases and to facilitate their quality education, we deemed it fit to construct this water facility.”

Mihowa said the initiative is part of Oxfam’s work on women’s political leadership and empowerment.

“This is under Elect Her and Retain Her Campain which supports the representation and participation of women in leadership positions. So when the MP approached us, we saw it necessary to help,” she said.

The district’s acting director of education, youth and sports Rabson Kawalala commended Oxfam in Malawi for constructing the borehole, saying the water situation at the school was bad and affected quality education.

“We were even failing to conduct our school meetings as education officials at the school. School meals were affected too due to lack of water. Now, that we have potable water we say thank you,” he said.

Patel was all smiles and said her constituents will now have quality water.

During the event, Oxfam in Malawi also donated solar lamps, menstrual hygiene kits and other items to the best performing learners to facilitate education.

They also donated bicycles to health surveillance assistants.

Oxfam constructed the borehole and presented the materials with financial support from Electric Aid of Ireland.