World Vision partners with Davis & Shirtliff to provide safe water to vulnerable communities in Zambia
World Vision and Davis & Shirtliff have signed a three year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the provision of clean safe water to selected vulnerable communities across Zambia.
On behalf of World Vision, Zambia National Director John Hasse notes that the MoU between the two organisations was a timely and welcome partnership in the realisation of universal water coverage in vulnerable communities. “Providing clean water and sanitation to every person in every community we work in, especially the most vulnerable populations in the hardest-to-reach areas, is not a job that can be accomplished easily; it requires collaboration and partnerships. To achieve this bold target, we need strong partners like Davis and Shirtliff.”
He further adds, “We know for a fact that without access to clean safe water, there is no good health, no proper nutrition, no productivity. This is why this MoU is significant to World Vision because of our mission to contribute to the sustainable well-being of vulnerable communities, and especially children.”
Davis & Shiftliff's Managing Director Mr Jonathan Mainga noted that the activities of World Vision are in alignment with Davis & Shirtliff’s commitment to improving lives through the provision of appropriate water and energy solutions in all the markets they operate in. “The company is proud to partner with World Vision to reach out to targeted communities and alleviate the need for access to water, and thereby provide the sanitation which is so critical and in alignment with our joint values.”
Through this MoU, Davis & Shirtliff and World Vision commit themselves to partner in the successful implementation of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects towards mutually agreed-upon outcomes, to alleviate poverty among underprivileged communities in Zambia.
As part of the realisation of the MoU, the two organisations have embarked on a school mechanisation water project at Makotoolo basic school in World Vision's Mbeza Area Programme coverage areas, in Namwala District, Southern Province.
The project valued at K560,000 ($26,500) will see the installation of a solar pump at the school with two 10,000 litre tanks that will distribute the water from the existing borehole through at least 20 water points to the school and community. This will reduce the congestion at the hand pump as pupils will have easy access to water and the teachers’ families and the rest of the community will also access it from closer to their homes.
This water project will contribute to improved health, sanitation, and hygiene of pupils at Makotoolo basic school, teachers' houses, and households of Makotoolo village. A total of 820 people will benefit from this water system. Of these, 555 are pupils (274 boys and 281 girls) studying at Makotoolo.