By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, May 15, Mana: Communities of Group Village Head, Wirima in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Gumba in Mchinji District have for the first time in their lives gained access to tapped water.

Previously, the lack of potable water forced the communities to rely on unsafe boreholes and shallow wells, leading to frequent waterborne diseases.

Speaking on Tuesday when Source of Life Children Foundation handed over a solar-powered water system to the village, the Organization’s Country Representative, Innocent Semu said they thought of going to the area because people have never enjoyed potable water for a long time.

“Finding safe water has been a challenge for the people over the past 50 years and they were forced to get water from wells where they shared the water with animals,

“We have brought in safe water to the community where they will be getting the water from the taps which is convenient to them,” he pointed out.

A community member, Stella Grey said she used to wake up at 4 am to be first to get to a well, but the wells usually dried up.

“The shallow wells in the Village are a source of diseases because they are not well protected and our children used to often get sick. I am happy to see tapped water in our village for the first time,” she explained.

Commenting on waterborne diseases and unavailability of safe water, Senior Disease Control and Surveillance Officer under Gumba Health Centre, Allan Banda said there was only one borehole in the area which makes waterborne diseases to rise.

“As a result of poor water sources, 10 Dysentery cases are registered in children under the age of five. We are hopeful the situation will change now,” he hoped.

TA Gumba was all praises of the development in her area.

“I am very happy with the water system in this area and will make sure the community take care of it,” she said.

Source of Life Children Foundation is a child-focused Christian Not-for-profit organization and apart from water and sanitation, it works in the area of climate change, education, women empowerment and permaculture among others.