Communities at Paramount Chief Lundu’s area in Chikwawa have hailed GardaWorld Security Malawi, in collaboration with Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc, for constructing over six water kiosks in their area through Lengwe Community Portable Watershed Project (LCPWP) to ensure community’s access to clean water for improved livelihood.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, one of the beneficiaries of the intervention, Thokozani James, said introduction of the project was ideal as it addressed water challenges people faced for a long time.
“We used to drink unsafe water from the wells throughout. The project has helped us to have easy access to safe water which protects us from water borne diseases,” he said, adding that the project also spared communities from travelling long distances to fetch clean water.
Madalitso Finala from Sekeni Village commended the project saying the kiosks have come at a right time to improve water hygiene among communities that had no access to safe water.
“Good life depends on clean water. We have been experiencing an increase in water borne disease due to contaminated water,” Finala said.
Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc, with financial support from Garda World Security Malawi, amounting to US$75,000 (over K122 million) is implementing LCPWP in Chikwawa to benefit over 2,000 people through construction of water kiosks and distribution of water buckets, among others.
GardaWorld Security Malawi Country Director, Ganizani Kanchiputu, said introduction of water kiosks is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility under sanitation programme.
He said the project was born after observing that some of their employees had no access to safe drinking water and were vulnerable to water borne diseases.
“It is not safe to drink salty water. Therefore, we thought it wise to come in and assist some of these communities to get clean and safe water for their daily livelihoods.
“There are a lot of water challenges which hinders a lot of development in the area but Garda World will try to minimise the challenges,” said Kanchiputu.
Acting General Manager for Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc Nchalo Estate, Lengster Mlenga, noted that community members have been suffering from water borne diseases due to unsafe underground salty water.
“As Illovo, we believe that a better economy depends on clean water and this is why we are scaling up this project. I urge communities to take responsibility of the facility by making sure that it is not vandalized,” he said.