Communities from the areas of traditional authorities Kalumo, Malenga, and Chilooko in Ntchisi, have hailed a local Non-Governmental Organisation – Environment Water and Sanitation (EWS) Foundation – for providing them with potable water.
The communities say access to clean water has helped promote sanitation and hygiene in their areas after for a long period of time they have been drinking water from unprotected shallow wells and sharing the water with animals. 
EWS is implementing a project called Ntchisi Protected Water project after communities’ concerns that water scarcity was a huge problem.
One of the community members, Mercy Banda of Misengo village in the district, thanked the EWS for imparting the skills and knowledge on pump repairing and installation saying this will greatly help in case they encounter breakdown and ensure sustainability of the initiative.
Banda said following the organisation’s interventions in the district, waterborne diseases are a thing of the past as they no longer share their wells with animals for water.
Speaking at the function, Environment Water and Sanitation (EWS) project manager, Mayamiko Kaponda, said the organisation has trained borehole builders to help in construction of boreholes in their respective areas.
Kaponda expressed hope that his organisation has assisted in addressing the water scarcity problems which was a major concern not only with the communities of the three T/As in Ntchisi but in other districts as well.
In his remarks, Ntchisi District Council’s Water Development Officer, Peter Moyo, thanked the EWS for timely interventions in the water challenges their district is facing.
Moyo said the organisation is complimenting government efforts in promoting safe drinking water in all communities saying this will go a long way in improving their livelihood.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number six seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and Sanitation for all.
EWS has drilled 23 Afridev pump shallow wells valued at over MK 16 million from May, 2018 in Ntchisi with financial assistance from US ambassadors Special Help Fund.
Story by Vincent Gunde
