Clean Water Brings Relief and Restored Learning Time at Carmushka Primary School in Phalombe

The sound of children rushing with their buckets to get a  share of clean water at a nearby borehole has eased at Carmushka Primary School in Phalombe. Today, the schoolyard has taken on a calmer rhythm, with learners drawing clean water from a newly drilled borehole within the school premises. The change has brought order to daily routines, improved hygiene and given learners more time in the classroom.

For years, pupils at the school relied on a single community borehole shared with nearby households. Each school day began with the same routine of long queues and delayed access to water, a situation that often affected the start of lessons and the flow of learning.

Standard 5 learner Prosper says accessing water used to take a lot of time and patience.

“Drawing water was a nightmare even when we only wanted drinking water,” says Prosper.

She explains that learners often had to wait for long periods before returning to class which affected their concentration and learning time.

“We sometimes spent a lot of time at the borehole before going back to class. But now we have our own borehole and hygiene has improved,” says Prosper.

Shakira,11,  says the situation made it difficult to fully focus on lessons especially when morning routines were delayed.

“Sometimes we missed lessons while trying to fetch water. But now there are no delays. Things are better,” says Shakira.

Deputy Headteacher at Carmushka Primary School, Kennedy Masasa says the lack of reliable water supply had long affected sanitation and the smooth running of the school.

“It was very difficult for learners to access water and sanitation was also a serious challenge,” says Masasa.

With water now available within the school, learners are spending more time in class and the school has also established a vegetable garden which is supporting practical learning and contributing to school activities.

World Vision Malawi constructed the borehole in 2024, addressing a long-standing challenge and improving daily life at the school. The intervention is benefiting 896 learners at Carmushka Primary School while strengthening hygiene practices, restoring learning time and improving the overall school environment.