Clean Water for Malawi

Malawi is one of the poorest African countries.
The Sisters of Charity began their mission there, in Konzalendo in 2011.  
The mission agreed that it would operate from a model of participatory development, which promotes true sustainability.

In this region, the major concern of the locals is access to clean water and their main source of daily sustainability is agriculture. Up to one in four people in Malawi currently do not have access to clean water.  The water is prone to cholera and other waterborne diseases, because many people fetch drinking water from the same stream in which they bathe and wash clothes and cooking utensils. The long, difficult mountainous walk to the source of water affects especially the lives of women and girls, who are the main water carriers. They are unable to attend school regularly and carrying heavy loads impacts their health, especially lower-back issues.  

The Sisters became involved in the Water Project in 2014 when they started working beside the people and advocating on their behalf, with district development officers and other organisations. The Sisters are involved with two different sorts of projects - shallow wells and boreholes. A borehole involves hiring a firm to survey an area and then drilling, quite costly.  

The preparatory work for the shallow wells is done by the villagers (overseen by the area water mechanic) and the sisters purchase the pump, pipes, cement and other materials. 40-60 families can access clean drinking water through the water pump, as well as initiating irrigation farming to attain all-year-round substantial and commercial food production. Boreholes are provided closer to the homes of the villagers whereas the shallow wells tend to be down near the streams and still involve carrying water– but it is a joy for them to have Clean Water!

We, the Australian Sisters of Charity, thought we could support our sister Congregation, who must raise the funds for the Water Project or obtain it from other organisations. The gift of Clean Water is something we daily take for granted.

We have designed Christmas vouchers to purchase for family and friends.

Through 2026 we will be continuing to raise money for Clean Water for Malawi.