Families: 45
Water Committee: 4 men and 6 women

Nkhwali is home to families from five tribes—Tambuka, Lomwe, Sena, Yao, and Chewa. When the community received its first water well, residents were proud to finally have water close to home. Before the well was installed, families walked 1.5 kilometers to the school to collect water, waking as early as 4 a.m. just to have a chance to get three buckets.

The long wait for water made it difficult for parents to get their children ready for school. Before the well, only about 30% of children attended Chitala Primary School. Many arrived late and without having bathed. Today, 100% of children are attending, and they are arriving on time and clean.

The new well has also brought greater peace to families. Women explained that when they spent hours fetching water, their husbands sometimes suspected them of being unfaithful. With water now close to home, families no longer face the same strain.

Residents also report a 90% reduction in waterborne illness. While some households still collect water from open pits, access to the new well has made a significant difference in the community’s health.

Every household now has a garden, creating new possibilities for growing food. Before the well, families struggled to grow enough during the rainy season and had never been able to maintain gardens through the dry season. With water nearby, they hope to produce more food and reduce the hunger that continues to challenge the community.

For Nkhwali, this well represents more than a closer source of water. It has given families back hours of their day, helped children get to school, and opened the possibility of growing food throughout the year.