Families: 54
Water Committee: 4 men and 6 women

For families in Kambuwa, the rainy season brought a troubling contradiction: water was plentiful, but the source could become unsafe to drink. Flooding and contamination made the water dangerous, and diarrhea and cholera were major concerns. Getting clean water was not simply a matter of finding enough; families needed a source they could trust.

When illness struck, seeking treatment created another financial burden. Families travelled to Mikonlongwe Health Center, paying approximately MK 15,000 for transportation. Money spent reaching healthcare and managing illness left less available for everyday necessities.

The new well has given Kambuwa a reliable source of safe water close to home. Families can now collect water for drinking and household needs without depending on a source that becomes contaminated during heavy rains. Women report being able to bathe three times a day, while men bathe twice a day—an everyday change that reflects how much easier personal hygiene has become.

With safer water nearby, families also have more freedom to direct their resources toward other priorities. Residents describe being able to spend less on the costs associated with illness and put more toward necessities such as food and pesticides for their livelihoods.

Perhaps most striking is how residents describe the arrival of the well. After facing unsafe water for so long, some had nearly stopped believing that a dependable source would ever come to their community.

“It is a dream come true,” residents shared. “We gave up hope.”

Their words speak to the years of waiting behind this milestone. Kambuwa now has a nearby source of safe water, making everyday tasks easier and giving families greater confidence in meeting their household needs. Their wish for those who made it possible is heartfelt and simple: “We wish you a long life.”