Chief hails Habitat for Humanity International for projects 

Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda of Lilongwe has commended Habitat for Humanity International, a non-governmental organisation, for boosting good hygiene and promoting better life for families in his area.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) during a supervision visit in the area during the week, the chief stated that the organisation has constructed different facilities in his area that have improved  people’s living standard.

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‘’The organisation has constructed houses for less privileged people and modern toilets that have boosted good hygiene in our area. 

“We also had problems to access safe water but this organisation has provided 16 new water pumps that have helped our area to be protected from cholera outbreak. These are just few developments being implemented under Habitat for Humanity International in our area, and we are grateful for all this,” said Masumbankhunda.

However, the chief pleaded with the community to ensure that they take proper care of all the developments being implemented in his area, saying the facilities were there to assist the community. 

In his remarks, Matias Mangochi, a community member, urged people in the area to actively participate in various developments being implemented in the area.

‘’As a community, we need to work hand in hand with organisations that improve our lives. On our part, we have gardens that help us to generate some funds to maintain these facilities once they are damaged or destroyed,’’ said Mangochi.

Habitat for Humanity’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Officer, Tryness Makiyi highlighted that all developments being implemented in Masumbankhunda play a big role in making people’s lives better.

‘’We have implemented several projects here with the aim of changing lives of ordinary people. As an organisation, we also train the community on how to use these facilities for them to last long. 

“We are going to construct many houses and modern toilets that will also help to generate manure. Our plea is that people should not destroy them because replacement will not be easy once destroyed,’’ appealed Makiyi.

Habitat for Humanity has constructed five (5) houses, 210 modern toilets and 16 new water pumps while 15 other water pumps have been repaired.

The organisation’s ‘Empowering Rural Communities in Lilongwe’ Project aims to achieve better health and quality of life through sustainable WASH practices. The initiative started in 2020 and winds up this year, 2023. It is funded by the German Government.