Portable Water Brings Great Relief for People with Disabilities.

By Trinity Kubalasa

Communications and External Engagement Manager, World Vision Malawi.

Sellina , 54, was born with disability. She cannot stand nor walk upright except with the assistance of her hands. Her life, when it comes to doing daily chores such as fetching water to cook, is already difficult due to limited mobility. And the absence of portable water in Balakasi Village in traditional Authority Ntchema made life even harder for her. 

For people with disability like Sellina, accessing water meant walking long distances to fetch water from a single borehole in the village. And when the borehole was dry during the dry season, it meant going to the river to draw from man-made wells which is unsafe water if not treated. 

Sellina, recounts those days saying it was very difficult because every time she needed water she had to send someone to fetch for her. Although she is blessed with six children, not all of them were at home to cater for her needs.

"It was difficult because children are either at school or playing. And when I needed water for domestic use it was difficult to have to rely on others," she said.

However, the coming of tapped water through World Vision WASH project in partnership with Water for People has brought great relief for her and all other people living with various disabilities in her community.

Water supply development without social inclusion is not complete. Magaleta Secretary for the Balakasi Village Water Users Association which runs the water supply system said it is because of the desire for social inclusion that they made a priority to select Chimasula's house as one of the beneficiaries where a Kiosk would be planted. 

"I was very happy because for considering this point to install one of the kiosks. I don't have water problems now. I have access to water without the assistance of anyone. When I am alone I can bring myself to the tap and draw water without any problems," she said smiling.

The Kiosk is right in front of her house. The design for the Kiosk is also disability friendly. The way to the tap is one slant step which enables Chimasula to move freely up to the tap and draw water by herself. 

Magaleta said the water supply has also assisted many school going children in the village to enjoy their studies because they don't have to waste time walking long distances to fetch water in readiness for school.