
Solution
The BridgIT Water Foundation, in collaboration with the Wildlife & Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM), launched a water supply program to benefit communities around the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. The SMEC Foundation, with generosity from SMEC Regional Head for ANZ, Kate Drews, sponsored the drilling of four new wells and the refurbishment of one community water well in the area.
On November 22, 2024, WESM organised a cheque handover ceremony with Chambika Zimba, Account Assistant from the SMEC Malawi office. He presented the cheque to Yassin Rasheed, who accepted it on behalf of WESM and the BridgIT Water Foundation. The presentation took place at Kalilangwe Village, with African Parks, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve Association (NAWIRA), the government water department, and community members in attendance.
A trained site repair team successfully drilled and repaired the wells, installing new hand pump parts such as riser pipes, connecting rods, cylinder pumps, water tanks, complete head assemblies, and performing any necessary masonry work on the platforms.
In total, four new borewells equipped with hand pumps were installed in central locations, and one previously non-functional borewell was refurbished to working condition. Each borewell development included training water user committees on sustainability and conservation strategies.
Impact
This project has provided safe drinking water to approximately 5,306 community members in 884 households across Kankwenu, Saniga, Kinyama, Kalilangwe and Chalunda 2 villages, significantly improving their quality of life.
On average, people now walk 500 meters to access water, compared to the 2 kilometres prior to project completion, saving time and effort in collecting water for household use. The community members have also strengthened their capacity to manage their own water facilities, and there is an overall reduction of water-borne diseases, particularly cholera, in the communities.
Thanks to the conversation awareness training held in the community, there is also an increased understanding of the importance of protecting wildlife in the reserve, especially elephants, and how everyone can participate in conservation activities. This initiative supports the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in its efforts to conserve wildlife, particularly elephants.