For the students and teachers of Nalipiri Primary School in Mulanje District, Malawi, access to water has always been about more than having something to drink. It’s been connected to health, sanitation, and the ability for students — especially girls — to stay in school.
Before Water Wells for Africa (WWFA) installed a new well at Nalipiri on June 22, 2026, students had to leave school to collect water from a nearby riverbed. Teachers and students also experienced waterborne illnesses, while the lack of water made it difficult to maintain proper sanitation throughout the school.
For girls, the lack of water created another challenge. Without adequate water and facilities for menstrual hygiene, girls were sometimes sent home for up to four days each month during their periods. With an average of about 10 students absent each week, the school saw the effects water and sanitation challenges had on attendance.
When we returned to Nalipiri on July 14 to dedicate the new well, the excitement was clear.
“We are so happy to have water,” shared Head Teacher Jenny Ntidula, who has served at the school for four years.
With clean water now available on campus, students no longer need to leave school to collect water. The well will help the school improve sanitation and hygiene while giving students access to water throughout the school day.
For girls, the water well provides an important opportunity to manage their monthly periods at school rather than having to miss several days of learning each month. The school is now hoping to build a dedicated changing room where girls can manage their menstrual hygiene privately and with dignity
Nalipiri is already a school full of promise. With 29 teachers and more than 1,300 students, the school achieved a 96% graduation rate in 2025 and ranked first among the 11 schools in the Mlongwe Zone. Students have gone on to national district and CDSS programs, demonstrating what is possible when they have the opportunity to learn.
Clean water will help create the conditions for more students to learn, thrive, and achieve similar success.
Thanks to Coastal Ridge Elementary School, the new water well at Nalipiri Primary School is supporting more than health and sanitation. It’s helping create an environment where students can remain in the classroom, girls can continue their education with dignity, and the entire school community can look toward an even brighter future.
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