Matandala Village wants to drill a borehole to provide clean water to village residents. They are currently drinking from unclean water sources.

Community Problem: In Matandala Village, there has never been a clean water well. Jean Msowoya, a resident of Matandala, had this to say: "I am disabled, and I suffer to find water. I send my small kids to draw water from Lake Malawi, but the place is mountainous, and the water is not safe to drink. I almost lost my child from cholera last year. ... Sometimes my kids do not attend school because they come late from the lake. This borehole will help my family and the whole community from the problems we suffer."

Community Solution: Dig a new borehole in Matandala Village. The borehole location was chosen by a village project committee, acting on behalf of the entire village. The site is publicly accessible. Construction will be done by a vetted drilling company, with substantial experience in the area. The installation will take three days to complete. The company expects to reach water at about 45 meters, but the wells will be drilled to depths of about 60 meters, if necessary. Before drilling, a hydro-geographical assessment using electrical measurements will be conducted to find the depth of the underlying aquifer. Above ground, the borehole will include a standard metal pump mechanism, a cement foundation to protect the pump mechanism and a cement spillway to channel excess water away from the pump. Funds will be used to pay for the skilled labor as well as for the materials that cannot be found locally, such as piping, fixtures and fittings, and concrete. Matandala will contribute volunteer labor, materials, including bricks and sand, and about $300 in cash.

Partners: Water Charity & National Peace Corps Association

Outcome: clean water for the village