Families: 150
Water Committee: 4 men and 6 women (Chair: Peter Sekani, Treasurer: Amos Albert)

Before the borehole, the people of Butwa relied on a polluted river that carried industrial waste from Blantyre. They shared the water with animals, often found dead animals in it, and sickness was constant. During cholera outbreaks, hospitals overflowed and schools sometimes closed for weeks.

Since the well was installed, everything has changed. “Our kids are healthy. We have no more diarrhea. We are no longer beaten by our husbands. We have our dignity back,” the women shared. For the first time in their history, Butwa has clean water.

Children now arrive at school on time and ready to learn. Attendance for girls has risen from 40% to 80%, and parents are hopeful for better grades and brighter futures. Families are also farming, selling produce, and starting small businesses. “It was hard to get clean water for donuts,” said Lucy Julias, who now runs her own business.

“We were dreaming for many years,” one villager reflected. “This is the first clean water in our history.”