We have recently received an interim report from Jackie Geddes of DRAO regarding a fresh water project undertaken in the village of Chipunga in a remote area of Malawi. This was funded by the Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust, with Trustee Maureen and her associates in particular.

During a two day stay by Jackie, the visitors were shown the now operating system that produces the clean water for Chipunga. During this time a meeting was gathered to inform the community of their responsibilities in the continuing of its maintenance.

The villagers had worked extremely hard in order to install this. The area has no roads and the terrain is extremely difficult being both steep and rocky. All the pipes and cement and the very large tank had to be carried up in the arms or on the backs of the community.

The system is composed of dams to capture the water from the hillside and a very large tank is positioned near the top of the hill which holds the water for the 14 taps in the village.

The villagers plan to make their own improvements. For instance adding additional taps at some sites where the community numbers are higher. Also some of the pipes would benefit from being buried underground to prevent sun damage, and the tank may need from extra securing [sic]. It is planned to add a concrete basin around each of the tap sites to keep the area clean and accessible during the rainy season.

The Leaders of the community Nr. Kondowe, Mr Ngwira and the village Chiefs and Headmen have ensured a high standard of work and give confidence that all will be maintained and protected into the future.

The project has vastly improved the lives of the community. One of the Chiefs met by the visitors told them, “We have been taken from darkness to light”. The people of the village were reported to be “so happy and every tap-site was surrounded by people who were dancing and singing”.

The Catriona Hargreaves Charitable Trust has been very happy to support this project and wish the people of Chipunga every good wish for the future.