Families: 65 across 4 villages
Water Committee: 5 men and 5 women

Before the water well was installed, families in Kalima relied on the Chileka River. During the rainy season, the river would flood, and people sometimes collected water beside others who were bathing. In the dry season, they dug holes as deep as three meters to find water. Women often fought at the river as they waited to collect what they could.

The journey for water began early. Families would wake at 4 a.m. and return around 8 a.m. with just one bucket. Even on a good day, they could collect no more than two buckets of water for their households.

The lack of clean water also took a serious toll on health. Diarrhea and cholera were common, and in 2023, four people died from cholera in a single day. Families traveled 22 kilometers to Katema Health Clinic for care, paying about 25,000 kwacha for transportation and another 20,000 kwacha for treatment. They were making the trip about twice a week.

Today, the community has a reliable source of clean water close to home. Families can collect enough water for their daily needs, and they no longer have to spend hours traveling to the river. The community has also been able to start gardens, providing more opportunities to grow food at home.

Children are benefiting, too. With water more accessible, kids are able to spend more time going to school rather than helping their families search for water.

The well has continued to serve the community since it was installed in July 2024, requiring only one service visit in January. For the families of Kalima and the three surrounding villages, reliable water has changed what is possible for their households.