For generations, families in Kapolo Village in Machinga District, Malawi, struggled to find enough clean water. Without a borehole of their own, residents relied on shallow wells or traveled to a neighboring village where they could sometimes be turned away. Families had as few as three buckets of water a day, leaving little for bathing, cleaning, and other daily needs.
Unsafe water brought frequent illness, including cholera and diarrhea. Families faced the added burden of seeking medical care, sometimes traveling long distances and spending money they could scarcely afford.
On December 2, 2025, Water Wells for Africa (WWFA) installed a new water well dedicated by a generous donor, bringing clean water to 120 households across three villages.
A Healthier Community
Since the well was installed, residents have reported a dramatic improvement in their families’ health. Kapolo local Chrissy Stoneki shared the difference simply: “My children are no longer sick.”
With reliable water close to home, families can focus more on farming, growing vegetables, and providing meals for their children. Better access to water has also improved personal hygiene and brought greater peace to households.
Children are benefiting, too. Before the well, only 60% of children were attending school. At Kawiriwita Primary School, attendance has reportedly reached 100%, giving students more consistent opportunities to learn.
A New Opportunity for Women
The well has brought change to community leadership as well. For the first time, women have been elected to serve on the Water Committee, which consists of eight women and two men.
Lunia Dickson shared her enthusiasm for the role and her readiness to serve her community. With Community-Based Management training ahead, the committee will gain the skills needed to maintain the well for years to come. The training includes teaching thorough maintenance skills, hygiene practices, and usage rules for the village.
For Kapolo and its neighboring villages, access to clean water means more than relief from daily hardship. Families are healthier, children are learning, and women are stepping into leadership. After generations without a reliable water source of their own, the community can look toward a future filled with new possibilities. And all of this is made possible by the generosity of donors that allows WWFA to install the water well – a true gift of life.
