Malawi
Clean water sources for two primary schools

The 1% Fund supported the creation of two bore wells, each on the grounds of primary schools in Mnduluka and Kanyeje, Malawi.The project benefits 3,500 people, including students, staff and residents of surrounding communities.

Before the availability of this nearby clean water source, the local school children often had no choice but to drink from and bathe in water from the nearby river, which is contaminated. In 2022 alone, 260 villagers in Mnduluka Community died of cholera due to drinking and using contaminated water since there is no clean source of water nearby. Most of the people who died of this waterborne disease were school-aged children. The project also allows for a clean water maintenance system.

The continuous shortage of clean water in schools is leading to school absenteeism of many children. Many children in the poor rural community also dropped out of school as they could not cope with the lack of clean water in their schools.As girls have the task of collecting water for their families, walking to and from a clean water source takes time from other activities, such as attending school. Having a nearby clean water source reduces water collection time. This project was funded thanks to the generosity of the late Joseph Habib, who had designated funds to aid in development.