Water Wells for Africa (WWFA) reached a historic milestone on May 31, 2025, with the installation of its 600th water well in Sudala 2 Village, Mwanza District, Malawi.
For the 80 families who live in this community (approximately 400 people), the well represents a profound shift from years of uncertainty and hardship to a future defined by safety, health, and opportunity.
Before the water well was installed, families walked more than a kilometer to reach an overcrowded borehole, often returning home with only a single bucket of water after hours of waiting. When that source failed, the community relied on the river, digging pits in the riverbed and collecting unsafe water—conditions that contributed to frequent outbreaks of cholera and diarrhea.
Today, with clean water available nearby, households effortlessly collect multiple buckets each day, hygiene has improved, and no cases of waterborne disease have been reported since this equipment was gifted to the village.
The impact extends far beyond health. Students now arrive at school clean, on time, and ready to learn, helping improve attendance and academic performance. Families have more time for farming, home care, and small income-generating activities, while parents report greater peace of mind knowing their children no longer need to travel long distances in search of water.
Sudala 2’s well is a milestone not only because it marks WWFA’s 600th completed project, but because it reflects the transformation that reliable water brings to entire communities. It’s a milestone in the life of 400 people who only ever dreamed of having such a “luxury.”
The beautiful thing is that this “milestone gift” will keep giving for decades to come. The main reason our water wells last for 20-30 years, is that we train a “water committee” made up of 10 residents to learn how to maintain the well so it can serve generations to come.
Read the full Sudala 2 story, view photos, and watch the community video here:
