Clean Water, Clear Vision: Alex Chimwala’s Borehole Initiative Brings Hope to Machinjiri Community

 

In the bustling peri urban hills of Machinjiri, Blantyre, a significant shift is taking place not just in water access, but in the very hope that fuels community life. Residents of Mantchombe Village in the South Lunzu constituency now have a reason to smile after the recent construction and official opening of a borehole, personally funded by parliamentary hopeful Mr. Alex Chimwala.

This gesture, which many describe as a dream come true, addresses a long-standing water crisis that has affected the community for years. For women who rose before dawn to queue for water and children who missed school due to domestic water chores, the borehole is more than infrastructure it is a symbol of dignity and transformation.

In Mantchombe Village, households depended largely on seasonal streams or traveled several kilometers to reach overcrowded public taps. These sources were not only distant, but also highly unreliable, particularly during the dry season.

Chief Maseko, a traditional authority in the area, recalled the hardship: “Our people have been suffering. Women would leave their homes as early as 3 a.m. to fetch water. Some returned with nothing, especially during droughts. We have long needed a solution.”

It is against this backdrop that Mr. Chimwala a native of the area and a parliamentary aspirant for South Lunzu took matters into his own hands.

On Monday, June 23, 2025, Mr. Chimwala officially handed over the borehole to the Mantchombe community. Speaking during the event, he stated that the project was entirely financed through his personal funds, as a way of demonstrating his commitment to uplifting the lives of people in his constituency.

“I did not do this to win votes,” Mr. Chimwala emphasized. “I did this because I have lived in this community. I have seen mothers walk with buckets on their heads for miles. I know the pain of drinking unsafe water. As someone who wants to lead here, I must also serve now.”

Construction of the borehole began in late May and was completed within three weeks. A Blantyre-based engineering team was contracted for the drilling and installation, with guidance from local leaders to ensure that the site would benefit the greatest number of households. The borehole is strategically located near a busy footpath and has already begun serving over 100 households.

To ensure sustainability, a water committee was formed, consisting of seven community members tasked with maintaining the borehole, collecting minimal user contributions for repairs, and educating users on hygiene practices.

The borehole’s immediate impact has been transformative. Long queues for water have diminished. Children are arriving at school on time. Cases of waterborne illnesses previously rampant are already declining.

“I used to spend almost four hours every day just to get water,” shared Victoria mbwana, a 42-year-old single mother of three. “Now, I wake up and get water within minutes. I have more time to focus on my small business. I feel like I have my life back.”

Local leaders, commended Mr. Chimwala for stepping in where government and NGOs had long delayed.

“This community has gone for many years without access to clean water,” said Chief Maseko. “What Mr. Chimwala has done is not just a political gesture it is a humanitarian one. We are deeply grateful.”

Teachers from the nearby primary school have also reported improved attendance, particularly among girls. “Many girls used to miss morning classes because they were responsible for fetching water,” noted Mr. Nkhoma, a school headmaster. “Now they come early and concentrate better.

There were also initial concerns from some residents regarding the sustainability of the borehole and whether it would continue functioning after the campaign season. These concerns were addressed directly by Mr. Chimwala, who publicly committed to providing support for maintenance during the borehole’s first two years.

To further build trust, he empowered the local water committee with start-up funds for maintenance and encouraged transparency in usage records.

The community, recognizing the importance of ownership, has responded positively. “We cannot allow this gift to go to waste,” said committee chairperson Janet Chihana. “We are collecting K100 per household per month. This will help us keep the borehole working for years to come.”

While the borehole has brought immediate relief, Mr. Chimwala has articulated a broader vision for South Lunzu’s development. During the handover event, he pledged to prioritize additional projects such as road improvement, bridge construction, and youth skill centers.

“Our people deserve more than promises,” he said. “They deserve action. My goal is to connect development to the everyday needs of our people water, roads, education, and jobs.”

His remarks were met with enthusiastic applause from residents who, for many years, felt neglected by successive leaders.

Civil society representatives present at the event hailed the project as a model for community-responsive leadership. “When development is tailored to the needs of the people and involves their participation, the results are always sustainable,” noted Mr. Joseph Kasiya, a community development practitioner from Blantyre.

The construction of the borehole in Mantchombe Village stands as a testament to what can be achieved when leadership meets action. What began as a simple intervention to address a water crisis has evolved into a symbol of possibility and progress for the entire South Lunzu area.

While it is true that the borehole project was implemented during an election campaign, the positive impact on the community is indisputable. Residents are not only drinking cleaner water they are also dreaming bigger, believing again that their voices matter and their needs can be met.

If sustained and replicated, this project has the potential to inspire a new era of development in rural Malawi, one in which leaders act proactively, and communities thrive with dignity.

As the sun sets over the quiet hills of Machinjiri, the gentle rhythm of buckets filling with clean water offers more than hydration it offers hope.