Kandeu 2 Village, TA Ndindi, Salima – August 2024
In a remote corner of Malawi, the residents of Kandeu 2 Village in Salima District, have long struggled with limited access to clean water.
Despite promises from politicians over the years, the village had never seen a water well. For 35-year-old Miriam Sitima, who was born and raised in Kandeu, the only water source she had ever known was a contaminated river that would dry up during the dry season.
A Treacherous Journey for Water
The path to the river was fraught with danger. Women like Miriam had to band together for safety as the bushy road was often home to snakes and robbers, especially after dark. Miriam recalls countless times when she and others had to flee from threats, often breaking their buckets in the process.
The lack of a reliable water source meant that Miriam’s two children frequently missed school due to illness. During the dry season, because they often had to collect the water, the women would have to wait hours for a trickle of water after digging into the riverbed just to get a bucket of water for their families.
A Life-Changing Moment
In March 2024, everything changed for Miriam and her village. For the first time in its history, Kandeu saw the arrival of drilling machines, courtesy of the generous donors to Water Wells for Africa (WWFA).
Miriam was overwhelmed with disbelief and joy as the organization began drilling the village’s first-ever water well. “I feel like the luckiest person in my village,” she said, reflecting on the moment. She had witnessed many deaths from cholera outbreaks in the area, but now, with the new well, her community finally had access to clean, safe water.
A Brighter Future
The well has brought newfound freedom to the women of Kandeu, lifting the heavy burden of sourcing water for their households. Children, including Miriam’s own, no longer have to wake up early to search for water and are now able to attend school regularly. Trips to the hospital due to waterborne illnesses have decreased, and for the first time, families in Kandeu are enjoying the simple “luxury” of daily baths.
Miriam’s story is a testament to the life-changing impact that access to clean water has on a community. The well in Kandeu is not just a source of water—it is a source of hope, health, and a brighter future for generations to come.
