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

Community Problem: Chinganji has only one borehole for a large and growing population. However, the borehole is overused and unable to provide enough clean water for the village. Additionally, students at Chinganji Primary School struggle to drink enough water during the school day because the borehole is 2 kilometers away from school, making it difficult for students to fetch water during breaks without missing their lessons. Students have collapsed at school from dehydration and overcrowding. Their resulting injuries have resulted in expensive hospital stays and long absences from school. While school committee members and parents have tried to supply clean water to the school, they have failed due to the laborious and time-consuming nature of the task. By drilling a borehole at the school, students and the community at large will benefit from a second source of clean water.

Community Solution: Dig a new borehole in Chingani 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. Chingani will contribute volunteer labor, materials, including bricks and sand, and about $300 in cash.

Partners: generous donors and Chinganji Village, Mangochi, Malawi

Outcome: clean water for the village