Water Supply project Inspires Communities to rehabilitate the environment

By Trinity Kubalasa.

Communications and External Engagement Manager, World Vision Malawi.

There is a symbiotic relationship between water and trees and the forest. 

Water provides an essential ingredient for photosynthesis for trees to manufacture food and grow healthy. Trees, on the other hand, provide catchment area for water sources by slowing runoff and preserving soil. 

Thus one cannot exclusively thrive independent of the other. They are mutually beneficial. It is this mutual relationship that Maiwa Water Users Association Committee is trying to promote using the water supply system.

Wherever World Vision  is implementing water supply project, WUA committees are encouraged to plant at least 10 trees around every kiosk to promote environmental preservation. At Maiwa, the community is using the water to rehabilitate its mountains that were previously bare.

Enock Mungomo, the chairperson of the village's  natural resources management association said in the past they wanted to plant more trees as a way of restoring the environment but it was not possible because of lack of access to water to irrigate the trees.

"The water supply has motivated us to plant more trees because we have water ready which we can use to water the trees. 

"Previously, these mountains were covered in green vegetation. But that is not the case anymore. The mountains look bear and dry. The Community is now planting trees on the foothills of the mountain to bring back its lost glory," he said.

In March World Vision  provided the initial set of trees to start off the rehabilitation of the area with 2,500 trees. After that the committee for Environmental preservation started its own nursery of trees and have managed to plant 5000 trees.

"We believe that even those who were drilling for water in this village probably found it difficult because the water table is deep down because of lack forestry cover. When there is forestry cover the water table is not hard to reach," he said.

Trevour Sumani Water Users Association chairperson said in all places where there is a Kiosks if they don’t plant trees they are encouraged to engage in homestead farming by planting vegetables.