Families: 42 + 2 additional villages
Water Committee: 4 men and 6 women

Before the new water well, families in Mlandani relied on an open, hand-dug pit near the Zombe Road. The pit was about 10 meters deep, and people had to lower a rope and bucket to collect water. It was especially dangerous for children crossing the road to reach it, and the pit itself posed a risk to children and people who had been drinking.

During the rainy season, families could collect about four buckets of water. But when the water table dropped during the dry season, they had to walk 20 minutes to another well. Residents said they were often chased away and treated poorly at the other source. They were also charged MK 10,000 per month for access.

Today, families have safe water available whenever they need it. They collect several buckets from the new well for drinking, while water from other sources can be used for cleaning and making bricks.

The new well has also removed the danger and uncertainty that came with finding water. Children no longer have to cross the road to reach a deep, open pit, and families no longer have to depend on another community for water during the dry season.

“We are so happy,” residents shared. After relying on an unsafe water source and facing barriers to access elsewhere, Mlandani now has a reliable source of safe water close to home.