Water well
For generations, people on the Makonde Plateau (south of the hospital, on the border with Mozambique) have had a water problem. Since tap water is not available, people collect rainwater in cisterns, which is used for drinking and domestic purposes. During the dry season, the supply lasts until around August. Then, until the start of the next rainy season in December, people have to travel long distances to fetch water. The water is often carried to the villages on foot by women or children.
Thanks to generous support from the Rotary Clubs of Rohrschach-Arbon and Nürtingen-Kirchheim, as well as the Abbey of Uznach, we were able to implement a water project
An initial drilling in Chiwonga village in 2024 was unsuccessful – but shortly afterwards, a second drilling in Mitanga, about 10 km away, tapped into a source that can supply more than 18,000 liters of water per hour.
The water is brought to the surface using a solar pump and pumped to collection points in two nearby villages. There, the water is sold to the villagers at an affordable price – a 20-liter container costs less than 4 cents. The proceeds cover the running costs for personnel and maintenance.
The system has been operating smoothly since October 2025 and is used independently by the villagers themselves.
This has significantly improved the quality of life and hygiene conditions for the people in the villages.
