Stephen Chimanga Machiko Memorial Well
New Community well construction began on 04/29/2021
The late Stephen Chimanga Machiko was a devoted father, husband, grandfather and good member of the community. For the family to donate the land to the foundation, we honor him by dedicating the well in his name.
The trials that face the community of Malashi are a mirror of similar challenges faced by very rural communities globally. The hardworking natives of Malashi relied on the nearby streams for water for ages. This meant walking miles at least twice a day to suffice water for farming, cooking and everyday other use. This duty is done mainly by the adult women carrying it on their heads and later passing this task on to their children as they became able.
Most urban communities take most basic needs for granted. An example is water. Imagine for a moment having to walk miles daily for 5 gallons of water per round trip to use for all your daily chores for the entire household for your entire life. This is a daunting task and yet primary school kids and mothers do this day by day to run their households. A lot of deep rural communities are living like this in this modern age. It’s all they know and in their minds that is their world and they know nothing else generation after generation. Liberating them by bringing water close to their homes will literally change lives and open them to more possibilities of better lives. Time to take care or other more important basic needs like sending these kids to school.
It’s that simple. The Stephen Chimanga Machiko well will not only provide water to the community but it will be an easier and accessible resource that will free these mothers and their kids who can then dedicate more of their time to learning and playing – being kids. The well will also serve as a water supply source for the future clinic.
We all wish for its success.